Antibiotic Awareness Week

Antibiotic Awareness Week (16-22 November)

The World Health Organisation’s World Antibiotic Week (16-22 November 2015) is fast approaching. This year’s theme is Antibiotics: Handle with Care.

The veterinary profession will be promoting the message that we all need to play our part and work together to protect these essential medicines for the wellbeing of animals, people and the environment.

Antibiotics have revolutionised health care both in humans and animals, prolonging lives and reducing pain and suffering. But these critical medicines are at risk. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says resistance to antibiotics is growing and that it is one of the greatest threats to global public health. It affects us all, including our pets and livestock, and we all have a role to play in addressing it.

As resistance to antibiotics increases, we will have fewer tools available to fight common infectious diseases. WHO states that: “Without urgent action, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill.”

What is the veterinary profession doing?

Veterinarians are fundamental to enhancing New Zealander’s quality of life as animals are essential to humans’ existence. As we respond to our changing world and promote the wellbeing of animals, humans, the economy, wider society and the environment the veterinary profession is shaping the future on major issues impacting society. Working where animals, people and the environment intersect, we are leading in the responsible use of antibiotics in animals.

The veterinary profession is building on the momentum of the New Zealand Veterinary Association’s aspirational vision, launched in June this year, that:

‘By 2030 New Zealand Inc. will not need antibiotics for the maintenance of animal health and wellness’

We are joining WHO and calling for everyone, including pet owners, farmers, veterinarians, doctors, industry and government to work together to combat antibiotic resistance by taking a One World One Health multidisciplinary approach – and seizing opportunities in doing so. New Zealand is one of the world’s lowest users of antibiotics in animals – but there is more we can all do to tackle antibiotic resistance and further enhance our world leading position in this space.

What can we do as individuals to fight antibiotic resistance?

It is timely for everyone to question their use of antibiotics – As a pet owner or farmer what do you do to protect your health (and the health of your animals) and prevent disease? When administering antibiotics are you following all instructions and using them as directed by your veterinarian?

“You may think that what you do as an individual is too small and inconsequential to count, but if we all play our part that will equal a monumental shift and we will turn a corner in our ability to fight antibiotic resistance on a global scale. As people who care for animals you can help to reduce the need for antibiotics by helping to prevent disease through good nutrition, husbandry and hygiene practices, and making sure your animals get regular health checks and their vaccinations are up to date,” says Dr Steve Merchant, Chair of the NZVA Antibiotic Resistance Strategy Group.

“New Zealand is ideally placed to take a leading role in addressing antibiotic resistance. We have one of the world’s lowest rates of antibiotic use in animals, and a strict regulatory framework and safeguards in place – for example, antibiotics are not used for growth promotion as happens in other countries overseas.”

“Our focus must be on responsibility, reduction, refinement, and replacement, with continual review to ensure we are achieving our goals. We are making progress, and through innovation we can keep building on this.”

So what are veterinarians doing for World Antibiotics Awareness Week?

Media releases with information advising pet owners and farmers, and the wider general public, on responsible use of antibiotics.

Resources for veterinary clinics to promote responsible antibiotic use through social media to their clients.

NZVA Facebook and Twitter will have antibiotic resistance messages and information.

NZVA’s online resource library on antibiotics, available on our website http://amr.nzva.org.nz/antimicrobial-resistance

“Antibiotic resistance as a phenomenon is, in itself, not surprising. Nor is it new. It is, however, newly worrying, because it is accumulating and accelerating, while the world's tools for combating it decrease in power and number.”

- Joshua Lederberg, Nobel Prize Laurea

ends

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