Antimicrobial Drugs: Promoting Responsible Use
ANTIMICROBIAL DRUGS: WHO AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
WAAW (World Antimicrobial Awareness Week) is a campaign promoted by the WHO (World Health Organization), held this year from November 18 to 23, aimed at raising awareness about the increase in antimicrobial resistance and the need for more responsible use of antimicrobial drugs.
THE ONE HEALTH CONCEPT
The campaign on responsible use of antimicrobial drugs takes a multisectoral approach, addressing not only human health but based on the concept of ONE HEALTH, or “one health.”
ONE HEALTH is a health model that views human health, animal health, and ecosystem health as inseparably linked.
From this concept stems the increasing focus on animal health, welfare, and sustainable production, as these factors inevitably affect not only the organoleptic quality of products but also their hygienic-sanitary quality, as well as human health.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of a microorganism to resist an antimicrobial to which it was previously sensitive.
In livestock farming, antimicrobial drugs are used therapeutically to combat bacterial diseases affecting animals and are sometimes essential for maintaining animal welfare, since one of the five freedoms defining animal well-being is freedom from disease.
However, indiscriminate and irresponsible use of antimicrobial drugs is a key factor in the development of resistance mechanisms.
THE DATA
A recent report published on February 18, 2018, by EFSA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) highlighted, with concern, that antibiotic resistance has become one of the most serious threats to public health.
Reducing antimicrobial treatments in the animal sector has therefore become a priority in recent years. Key factors in this reduction have been disease prevention through new technologies, increasingly effective biosecurity measures, and greater attention to proper nutrition and animal welfare.
“UNITED TO PRESERVE ANTIMICROBIALS”
The theme proposed by the WHO for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020 is “UNITED TO PRESERVE ANTIMICROBIALS.”
Since 1984, Tecnozoo has been committed to reducing the use of drugs in livestock farming, emphasizing that animal health and welfare start with proper nutrition and hygiene, making this its core mission. Tecnozoo products range from complementary feeds to everything necessary for animal hygiene and biosecurity.
