Antimicrobial Resistance and its Implications on One Health

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Did you know that Antimicrobial Resistance has been declared one of the top 10 public health threats facing humanity?1

According to the UK O’Neill’s Commission 2016, Antimicrobial infections cause close to 700,000 deaths each year and it is estimated to become the leading cause of deaths globally by the year 2050.2

 

What are Antimicrobials?

Antimicrobials are drugs or medicines (antivirals, antifungals, antiparasitics) that are used in the treatment and prevention of infections caused by microorganisms. They can be used in treating either plants, animals or human beings1.

Photo Credit: PIXTA

 

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, antimicrobial resistance refers to the ability of microorganisms to resist or overcome the presence of drugs or medicines are manufactured to kill them3.

Due to the resistance, antimicrobials become ineffective and it makes infections harder or even impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

Photo Credit: iStock

 

 

Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health.

Antimicrobial resistance and its spread depends a lot on the interaction between humans, animals and the environment4. For example, antimicrobial resistance caused by drug use in animals can negatively affect human well-being and vice versa. Additionally, antibiotics given to both human beings and animals at the long round end up in the environment which can affect ecosystem health and possibly become a reservoir for resistant organisms.

Photo Credit: P. Huey/Science

 

 

Why is Antimicrobial Resistance a Global Concern?

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms have a direct effect on the ability to treat common infections. We are all aware of the global spread of pathogens that are multi and pan-resistant bacteria - these cause infections that cannot be treated by existing antibiotics.

While we need new antibiotics, it is important to change the way antibiotics are being used. If our behavior towards antibiotics do not change, then new antibiotics will also eventually become ineffective.

Antibiotic resistance leads to increased medical costs, longer hospital stays and increased rate of death. The cost of antimicrobial resistance to health systems and national economies is therefore intense.



Referenced Materials for Further Reading






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