Collective approach is key in bid to counter Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global health issue, and no individual sector can hope to address it in isolation, said the Agriculture and Health Ministers Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar last week.
All of the major international plans support a “One Health” agenda urging collaboration across the human, veterinary and environmental sectors.
Minister Coveney said: “Through joint leadership across government Departments and a collaborative approach with membership from key industry stakeholders, the National Consultative Committee continues at national level to support strategies and work towards the ‘One Health ‘ agenda as endorsed in the World Health Organisation’s Global Action plan 2015.”
He launched a new Agri-food & AMR section on his Department’s agriculture.gov.ie website, to help raise awareness of AMR among farmers, veterinary practitioners, and other stakeholders in the agri-food sector.
“My hope is that people will visit the webpage and come away with a better understanding of what antimicrobial resistance actually is as well as some advice on what simple steps they can take to help address this societal challenge and preserve these essential medicines in both human and animal health.”
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is resistance of a microorganism to a drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by that microorganism.
Resistant microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites) are able to withstand attack by antimicrobial drugs, such as antibacterial drugs (e.g., antibiotics), antifungals, antivirals, and antimalarials, so that standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist, increasing the risk of spread to others.
The evolution of resistant strains is a natural phenomenon that occurs when microorganisms replicate themselves erroneously or when resistant traits are exchanged between them.
The use and misuse of antimicrobial drugs accelerates the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Poor infection control practices, inadequate sanitary conditions and inappropriate food handling encourage the further spread of AMR.
A recent European Commission report estimated that drug-resistant bacteria are now responsible for about 25,000 human deaths per annum in the EU alone, with associated healthcare costs and productivity losses of €1.5b.
The Commission also estimated that approx. 4m patients are estimated to acquire a healthcare associated infection in the EU every year.
Antimicrobials such as antibiotics are used to treat disease in both humans and animals, and are essential in maintaining human health, and animal health and welfare.
If antimicrobial resistance occurs in relation to a particular disease or infection, this means a lack of suitable treatment options for both human and animal diseases because for example the antibiotic used does not kill or inhibit the bacteria causing the disease.
Therefore the increased rate of development of AMR is a societal issue which impacts on us all regardless of whether we are food producers, keep animals as pets, or even if we have no regular contact with animals.
Global travel of people, animals and food means that resistant bacteria arising either in humans, animals or the environment may spread from one to the other as there are no possible border restrictions against the spread of bacteria.
Increased mortality, or prolonged recovery times as well as the economic cost to healthcare system and productivity losses affect all members of society.
In relation to the treatment of animal disease, if antibiotics are losing their efficacy this compromises the availability of suitable medicines that farmers and pet owners can avail of to ensure their animals health and welfare, as well as an increased financial cost to the animal owner.
Antibiotics are a hugely valuable resource to protect both human and animal health.
Continued usage and in particular inappropriate usage will contribute to the development and spread of AMR.
The first step to address the challenge of AMR is to improve the overall health status of the human and animal population.
In relation to improving animal health, disease prevention strategies are vital components of management practices.
Disease prevention strategies include improvements to biosecurity, adherence to best practice with regard to production and management practices and implementing integrated disease control programmes.
Targets to reduce on farm usage of antibiotics, increased use of vaccines and alternatives to antibiotics should be considered as part of an overall strategy to address AMR.
Where it is necessary to use antimicrobials to treat a disease, prudent use is essential to maintain the efficacy of the medicines.
Prudent use of antibiotics means that the antibiotics are both prescribed and administered in a responsible manner.
To use something prudently means to use it in a wise, cautious and economical manner.
With regard to usage of antimicrobials in the agri-food sector, prudent use means that the correct medicine is used to treat the particular disease that has been accurately diagnosed, and that the medicine is used at the correct dose rate and correct duration in line with veterinary consultation.
In relation to usage of antibiotics in animals, they should only be used following a veterinary diagnosis of a bacterial disease, the antibiotics must be prescribed for animal treatment by a registered veterinary practitioner at a specific dose rate for a specific duration which must be adhered to by the person administering the medicine.
