'Antimicrobials: Handle with care' to highlight fight against drug-resistant infections

Antimicrobial resistance – and the need to avoid further emergence of drug-resistant infections – are set to be the key themes for a special awareness campaign which is set to take place later this month.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

One of the key objectives of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through effective communication, education and training.

European member states are committed to reducing the usage of antimicrobials, especially antibiotics, in animal agriculture.

VirtualVet, a company that has built veterinary medicine usage software, is hosting a ’Handle with Care’ awareness campaign as part of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, which will run from Wednesday, November 18, to Tuesday, November 24.

A representative for the firm said: “Throughout the week we will promote the progress being made by farmers, vets, policy makers and researchers in the collective effort of driving more responsible antimicrobial usage in agri-food production.

Contributors range from farmers and vets who are focusing on this area, to specialist antimicrobial scientific researchers, policy makers, investors and analysts active in agriculture and the agri-food retail sector.

“The fight to tackle antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach and a collaborative effort from all parts of the agri-food chain to work together.

“On Thursday, November 19, our international panel will discuss strategies to enable agri-food processors support their suppliers and satisfy the increasing demands of consumers around antibiotic usage in animal agriculture,” the representative added.

In a packed schedule of events for the week, which will include video, blog and podcast episodes, themes will explore what’s happening in the area of AMR, how farmers are on the frontline of this, diagnostics, and using data as a support in the fight against the issue.

Speakers on the week will include Conor Geraghty, president of Veterinary Ireland; representatives from Bord Bia and Teagasc; a speaker from the University of Bristol; and multiple veterinary specialists.

Further details on the firm’s ’Handle With Care’ WAAW Webinar can be found on the VirtualVet website.