As reported by IIED, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) released as part of ‘World Antibiotic Week,’[1] a joint scientific report and other information materials to support actions to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by the public, health practitioners and policy makers. it recognizes the links between human, animal and environmental health and promotes cross disciplinary collaboration to support human and animal health globally.
The report titled, Drivers, Dynamics and Epidemiology of Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal Production, reviews available evidence on the relationship between animal production and AMR emergence and spread and discusses the relevance of antimicrobial use in animal production. While antimicrobial use for human treatment and prevention remains likely to be the dominant factor driving AMR, antimicrobial use in animal production is also a significant pathway for AMR emergence and spread. Food, moreover, is a potential transmission pathway for AMR-resistant pathogens.
On research and data collection, the report recommends, among other activities: quantifying the impact of antimicrobial use on AMR; investigating the evolution and transfer of resistance, using both molecular sequencing and epidemiological analyses; using standardized approaches to create databases of resistant genes, including free and unrestricted information sharing; and prioritizing the quantification of the association between antimicrobial use on farms and resulting AMR in food-borne bacteria with AMR in livestock and the incidence of resistant infections in humans.
Based on current evidence, the report makes practical recommends such as, using antimicrobials in compliance with existing recommendations and guidelines; regular monitoring of antimicrobial residues; using water treatment to reduce AMR spread; prioritizing the development of highly biodegradable antimicrobials; minimizing environmental contamination with antimicrobial residues and resistant pathogens in intensive livestock production systems; and applying epidemiologically and cost effective hygiene in all farming systems and food sectors.
The three organizations have also published a series of infographics providing background information on AMR as well as practical recommendations for policy makers and different groups of practitioners, including health workers, dentists, doctors, hospital and clinic managers, midwives, nurses, pharmacists, and the agricultural sector.
[1] A joint WHO, FAO and the OIE initiative convened under the theme ‘Antibiotics: Handle with Care’ from 14-20 November