Antibiotics Use In Farm Animals Is Growing—here’s Why It Could Pose A Danger To Humans

Generated Summary

This news article discusses the rising global use of antibiotics in farm animals and its potential dangers to humans. The article highlights research published in PLOS Global Public Health, which suggests that the increasing use of antibiotics in animal agriculture could render life-saving drugs ineffective and accelerate the spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The article examines the link between antimicrobial use in livestock and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as well as the potential impact on human health. It explores the drivers behind this trend, the specific drugs involved, and the countries most affected. The article also touches upon the economic and health consequences of AMR, including the projected number of deaths and the financial burden on healthcare systems.

Key Findings & Statistics

• The global use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs in animals is projected to rise by the end of the decade.
• 107,500 tons of antimicrobial drugs will be used on farmed pigs, chickens, cows, and sheep by 2030, according to researchers’ projections.
• This represents an 8% increase from 2020.
• Agriculture utilizes the majority of the world’s antimicrobials, with figures estimated to be higher than 70%.
• The CDC estimates that there are more than a million antimicrobial-resistant infections each year in the U.S., causing over 35,000 deaths.
• The national cost of treating infections caused by six superbugs in healthcare settings is more than $4.6 billion annually.
• Experts estimate that 10 million people will die each year from antimicrobial-resistant infections by 2050.
• Antibiotic resistant infections and deaths rose from 2019 to 2020, largely due to a 15% jump in infections acquired in hospitals.
• Some 1.27 million people died worldwide as a direct result of antibiotic resistant bacterial infections in 2019.

Other Important Findings

• Antimicrobial resistance emerges when organisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses defeat the drugs used to treat them, making infections difficult or impossible to treat.
• Farming often employs drugs like tetracyclines, amphenicols, and penicillins to keep livestock healthy, which contributes to resistance.
• China, Brazil, India, the U.S., and Australia are expected to retain their 2020 positions as the top five countries using the most antimicrobials in 2030.
• The excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed progress in combating antimicrobial resistance.

Limitations Noted in the Document

• The article notes that the evolution of resistant superbugs is natural and expected over time, but the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals are accelerating this process.
• The article does not delve into specific strategies or detailed policies to curb the use of antibiotics in farm animals.
• The exact percentage of antimicrobial use attributable to each country is not precisely quantified, as the article relies on estimates.
• The complexities of the global nature and intersection of microorganisms with multiple areas of health can make resistance difficult to monitor and predict, making it challenging to provide precise data or projections on the impact of antibiotic resistance.
• The article does not comprehensively cover the economic incentives for pharmaceutical companies to develop new antimicrobials or the factors driving antimicrobial use in agriculture.

Conclusion

The article underscores the critical need to address the global overuse of antibiotics in farm animals to safeguard human health. The findings suggest that the continued use of antibiotics in livestock poses a significant threat by fostering antibiotic resistance, making life-saving drugs ineffective, and increasing the risk of infections. The projected rise in antimicrobial use by 2030 highlights the urgency of the situation. The article emphasizes that the excessive use of antibiotics in agriculture is a key driver of resistance and that it will require global efforts to mitigate the impacts. The article underscores that the issue of antibiotic resistance is not confined to a single country, as major global players are involved. The article notes that experts warn that the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed progress in combating antimicrobial resistance. The article also highlights the devastating consequences of antimicrobial resistance, including the projected number of deaths and the economic burden on healthcare systems. In light of these implications, the article points out that comprehensive measures are needed, including the development of new antimicrobials and the enforcement of responsible antibiotic use policies.