Aquaculture Africa 2024

November 19 - 22, 2024

Hammamet, Tunisia

Add To Calendar 21/11/2024 10:00:0021/11/2024 10:20:00Africa/CairoAquaculture Africa 2024TACKLING THE THREAT OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN AQUACULTURE IN ASIA AND AFRICA USING A ONE HEALTH APPROACHOdysseyThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

TACKLING THE THREAT OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN AQUACULTURE IN ASIA AND AFRICA USING A ONE HEALTH APPROACH

David Vermer-Jeffreys*, Jérôme Delamare-Deboutteville,, Sabrina Hossain, Laura Khor, Shafiq Rheman

WorldFish,

Jalan Batu Maung, 11960 Bayan Lepas,

Penang, Malaysia

Email: d.verner-jeffreys@cgiar.org

 



Antimicrobial resistance (AMR ), a true One Health challenge, is declared by the  World  Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top 10 public health threats facing humanity .  AMR bacteria, and the AMR genes and mobile elements that confer resistance , can readily transfer between human, terrestrial and aquatic systems. Antibiotics are widely  used in aquaculture, as in other animal production systems, to control bacterial diseases. There is  a concern that anti microbial use ( AMU) in many countries is not well  controlled, posing potential risks that this will drive the emergence , maintenance  and transfer  of AMR. The steps that need to be taken  in Africa and Asia to build the capacity to better assess, contain and mitigate these threats will be discussed. These include the development and implementation of effective regulations to control the sale and use of antibiotics in this sector. Effective surveillance is  also needed to more accurately understand what  antimicrobials (e.g ., antibiotics) are being used , assess AMU drivers , determine the  distribution of resistant bacteria, and identify new and emerging AMR bacteria and genes  in  the  aquaculture systems  of these countries. To achieve these aims, it is critical that effective diagnostic capacity is available  in countries  to accurately identify and characterise AMR bacteria.  Effective mitigations and interventions  need to be developed and implemented, such as improved farming practices and biosecurity, effective vaccines and other treatments.  Examples of how these capacities are being strengthened in major aquaculture-producing countries in Asia and Africa will be presented  through various projects  and  initiatives led by WorldFish and partners .