15 November 2016: In line with a ‘One Health Approach,’ the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) released a joint scientific report, infographics and other information materials to support actions by the general public, health practitioners and policy makers to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The report was released in coordination with ‘World Antibiotic Week,’ a joint initiative of WHO, FAO and the OIE that convened under the theme ‘Antibiotics: Handle with Care’ from 14-20 November. A One Health Approach 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. The study describes the evolution and mechanisms of AMR emergence and discusses the relevance of antimicrobial use in animal production. It finds that while antimicrobial use for human treatment and prevention is likely the dominant factor driving AMR, antimicrobial use in animal production is a significant pathway for AMR emergence and spread. The report also notes that food is likely a potential transmission pathway for AMR-resistant pathogens.
With regard to 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 including: 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.
In addition to the report, the three organizations 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.
The rising threat of AMR has led to several high-level outcomes over recent months, including the adoption of AMR action plans by the FAO and WHO and the adoption of a Political Declaration on AMR by UN Member States at a UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in September 2016. Countries will also be developing national action plans to combat AMR, based on a global action plan endorsed in May 2015 by the World Health Assembly, WHO’s governing body. [UN Press Release] [FAO Press Release] [Drivers, Dynamics and Epidemiology of Antimicrobial resistance in Animal Production] [OIE Webpage on AMR] [FAO Webpage on AMR] [WHO World Antibiotics Awareness Week] [WHO Infographics] [SDG Knowledge Hub Stories on AMR]