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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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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.