1 week ago
40
The misuse and overuse of antibiotics has been identified as a contributing factor to the growing challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Dr. Columba Teri Vakuru, Nigeria’s Chief Veterinary Officer raised the alarm over the global threat of AMR, at the two-day awareness and sensitization workshop held in Awka, Anambra State.
The workshop, which was attended by stakeholders from various sectors of poultry and aquaculture value chains, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in partnership with Management Sciences for Health (MSH).
Represented by Dr. Akinola Ibukunoluwa, Assistant Director in the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Vakuru, warned that it poses a serious risk to food security and it significantly hinders agricultural productivity.
He explained that AMR arises when microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, develop resistance to the very antimicrobial medicines that are designed to treat them and as a result, infections become more difficult to manage and the effectiveness of medicines is compromised.
He outlined several devastating consequences of AMR, including the prolonged duration of diseases, even with treatment, escalating treatment costs, and in some cases, failure of treatment altogether, leading to death.
He also pointed to the severe economic consequences, including loss of livelihoods and income, as a result of reduced productivity in agriculture and aquaculture.
English (US) ·