Antibiotics resistance: Animals are not safe too

The discovery of antibiotics revolutionised the management of diseases in humans and animals.

These medicines proved so effective that they were christened magic bullets owing to their potency in killing disease-causing micro-organisms. Unfortunately, this great invention, which has saved millions of human and animal lives and transformed agricultural production, is under threat.

This is in the face of antimicrobial resistance, which is increasingly becoming a global menace.

This week, Kenya joined the globe in marking World Antimicrobial Awareness Week under the theme, “Educate, Advocate, Act Now.”

But why should a whole week be set aside to raise awareness on the issue of antimicrobial resistance?

This is simply because it has become the biggest threat to human, animal, and crop health, reversing gains made on this front. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when disease-causing micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi are not “killed” by medicines that initially were effective against them, making infections difficult to treat. This subsequently leads to increased disease prevalence and deaths. The week-long campaign (November 18-24) focused on creating awareness of human practices that exacerbate the development of antimicrobial resistance. This has been mostly through misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants. The agricultural sector (animals and crops) is said to consume the largest amount of antimicrobials and, therefore, is the main contributor to the development of the resistance. Veterinarians, agriculture extension agents, agro-dealers and farmers were among the target audiences in the campaign to ensure prudent use of antimicrobials. Because antimicrobial resistance cuts across humans, animals, crops and the environment within which they co-exist, it can only be tackled through a “one health approach.”

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This refers to an integrated way of achieving optimal and sustainable health outcomes for the public, animals and the ecosystem through the collective involvement of all stakeholders and professionals in these areas. Through one health approach, stakeholders can develop and implement antimicrobial mitigation plans.  The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (formerly OIE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) have formed a quadripartite joint secretariat on antimicrobial resistance. 

The Directorate of Veterinary Services and the Ministry of Health have also been working together to create awareness of antimicrobial resistance.

As early noted, human behaviour is at the core of antimicrobial resistance. Things that we take for granted like contaminating the environment with medicines could easily result in the emergence of strains of bacteria that can then infect fauna and flora. Improper use of antimicrobials on farms through self-administration of veterinary drugs is another common behaviour that worsens antimicrobial resistance.

[Dr Othieno is a veterinary surgeon and currently the head of communications at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Kenya. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of FAO but his own]