Speaking at the Veterinary Ireland Conference and AGM on Friday, Denise Roche from Kynetec, a leading research specialist in animal health and agriculture, outlined that there has been significant growth in the usage of vaccines over the past 10 years, from 40% of total sales in 2004 to 58% in 2015. ?

“Herd health planning, vaccination, biosecurity risk assessments and knowledge transfer are all examples of the actions vets can take on farms to reduce disease and consequentially, antimicrobial usage,” she said.

A number of vets and scientists gathered at Friday’s conference, which focused on the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in relation to the both veterinary and human health.

Conor Geraghty, practicing vet and Veterinary Ireland Food Animal chair, said the “uncomfortable truth” is that the use of antibiotics “will inevitably, over time, lead to resistance developing in the bacteria they are intended to target”.

“The speed and incidence of the development of antimicrobial resistance is influenced by the usage of these antibiotics,” he said. “Reducing the usage of antimicrobials is a key goal of practicing vets, demonstrated by the increasing use of vaccines since 2004.”

It is estimated that 25,000 people died in Europe from resistant infections in 2015

Geraghty went on to say that AMR is “a serious concern to all” and that legislation is needed to reinforce the government’s National Action Plan on tackling the threat.

“It needs to be supported by legislation and enforcement to reinforce the efforts of both the veterinary and medical professionals to successfully tackle antibiotic resistance,” he said. The National Action Plan is due to be finalised in the early part of 2017 and will outline the collective actions to be undertaken across all sections of society.

The threat of resistant infections

Dr Nuala O’Connor, lead advisor on antibiotic resistance for the Irish College of General Practitioners, said it is estimated that 25,000 people died in Europe from resistant infections in 2015.

“That is one person dying every 10 minutes,” she told the conference.

Dr O’Connor added that analysis carried out in the UK by Lord Jim O’Neill predicts 10 million deaths worldwide will be attributable to antibiotic resistant infections by 2050 if we continue to use such a high level of antibiotics and do not develop new ones.

Improved biosecurity and husbandry practices, as well increased use of vaccines can work to reduce antibiotic usage

“Very few new types of antibiotic are being developed, which means that we must make sure that the ones we have remain effective against infections for the sake of future generations,” she said.

“If we return to the pre-antibiotic era, common infections such as pneumonia, kidney infections or skin infections will result in death because there will be no effective antibiotics to treat them,” she added.

Managing expectations

Caroline Garvan from the Department of Agriculture acknowledged that it is difficult to manage people’s expectations and historic practices in relation to antibiotic usage, but she added that veterinary practitioners are in a key position to influence the responsible use of antibiotics by the end user.

“A renewed focus on improving animal health and disease prevention through improved biosecurity and husbandry practices, as well increased use of vaccines can work to reduce antibiotic usage,” she said.

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