Generated Summary
This press release from the World Health Organization (WHO) discusses the critical issue of antibiotic resistance and the organization’s recommendations to combat it. The core message is the urgent need to stop the routine use of antibiotics in healthy animals to preserve the effectiveness of these drugs for human medicine. The WHO’s guidelines focus on reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics in the animal sector, as approximately 80% of medically important antibiotics in some countries are used in this sector, primarily for growth promotion. The document highlights the rising threat of antibiotic resistance, the limitations of current treatments, and the need for global action to address this issue. It references a systematic review published in ‘The Lancet Planetary Health’ and provides information on the WHO’s recommendations, including restrictions on antibiotic use in food-producing animals and guidelines for antibiotic selection in cases where treatment is necessary. The document also references alternative approaches to disease prevention and the importance of the WHO’s efforts in this area.
Key Findings & Statistics
- Approximately 80% of total consumption of medically important antibiotics in some countries is in the animal sector.
- Interventions restricting antibiotic use in food-producing animals reduced antibiotic-resistant bacteria in these animals by up to 39%.
- The list groups all antibiotics currently used in humans and animals into three categories: “important”, “highly important” and “critically important”.
- The 5th revision of the list published in April 2017, the antibiotics considered highest priority amongst the critically important antimicrobials are quinolones, 3rd and higher generation cephalosporins, macrolides and ketolides, glycopeptides and polymyxins (also known as colistin).
Other Important Findings
- Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in animals and humans contribute to antibiotic resistance.
- WHO recommends farmers and the food industry stop using antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in healthy animals.
- Healthy animals should only receive antibiotics to prevent disease if it has been diagnosed in other animals in the same flock, herd, or fish population.
- Sick animals should be tested to determine the most effective antibiotic. Antibiotics used in animals should be selected from those WHO has listed as being “least important” to human health.
- The European Union has banned the use of antibiotics for growth promotion since 2006.
- Alternative options to using antibiotics for disease prevention in animals include improving hygiene, better use of vaccination, and changes in animal housing and husbandry practices.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The press release format does not provide detailed information on the methodology of the studies cited. It refers to a systematic review in ‘The Lancet Planetary Health’ but does not delve into the specific methodologies, sample sizes, or limitations of the review.
- The scope of the recommendations, while comprehensive, is limited to the general guidelines. Specific country or regional implementations of the recommendations are not discussed.
- There is no specific analysis of the potential economic or practical challenges associated with implementing the WHO’s recommendations.
- The press release focuses on the WHO’s perspective and recommendations. It does not provide counter-arguments or differing viewpoints.
Conclusion
The WHO’s press release on antibiotic resistance highlights a critical global health issue and offers clear recommendations. The document emphasizes the importance of preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics for human medicine by reducing their unnecessary use in animals. The recommendations are clear: stop using antibiotics routinely for growth promotion and disease prevention in healthy animals, and ensure that antibiotics are only used when necessary and with careful consideration of their impact on human health. The press release draws attention to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and stresses the importance of a multi-sector approach to combat it. The WHO’s call for action is crucial, given the potential consequences of antibiotic resistance on human health. The document highlights the efforts of many countries and the role of consumers in driving change. The press release underscores the urgency of the situation, as stated by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “Strong, sustained action across all sectors is vital if we are to turn back the tide of antimicrobial resistance and keep the world safe.” The document serves as a critical tool for public awareness, offering information to policymakers, health professionals, and the public on the actions required to mitigate the crisis of antibiotic resistance. The document provides essential guidance and highlights the immediate need for global collaboration to safeguard the effectiveness of critical medicines for future generations.