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Study highlights need for greater AMR awareness in Africa
Africa food security research.

Report provides insight into the development of future initiatives.

New research highlighting some of the problems surrounding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in parts of Africa has identified a need for a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the threat of AMR in these areas.

Led by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and Research England, the study explores specific AMR issues and challenges in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Researchers looked specifically at the status of AMR management in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and compare their progress at a national level.

The findings highlight a need for greater capacity in LMIC in areas such as AMR awareness, stewardship programmes, socio-economic impact, communication and stakeholder engagement.
They also show that the adoption of technology for infectious diseases and AMR will require a different set of skills, data integration, more effective communication and greater stakeholder involvement. 

A serious threat to global health, AMR is driven by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials and an overall lack of knowledge about disease emergence and spread.

Low and middle-income countries are at a much higher risk of AMR owing to the high incidence of infectious diseases and factors such as poor sanitation and contaminated water. The problem is made worse by limited access to antibiotics, weak health systems and underdeveloped antibiotic stewardship.

Professor Claire Heffernan, director of the London International Development Centre and Professor of International Development at the RVC, said: “This report is both relevant and timely as we consider the global impact of infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance, following the events of 2020.

"By exploring knowledge exchange activities in the East Africa region, it provides useful insight to the development of future initiatives, and outlines pathways and pipelines for further research and collaboration in this space.”

The study, 'East Africa Case Study: UK-Africa collaborations in combatting Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)', was undertaken by Prospect IP on behalf of The Bloomsbury SET.

Image (C) DFACT photo library. Licensed under CC by 2.0

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.