The American Association of Swine Veterinarians is pleased to participate in World Antibiotic Awareness Week November 18-24, 2019. World Antibiotic Awareness Week is a global initiative to raise awareness of the health risks of antibiotic resistance to humans, animals, and the environment and to encourage best practices among healthcare providers, policy makers, and the public to limit the emergence or spread of resistant bacteria.
The US effort is led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with participation from governments, academic institutions, private industries, and non-governmental organizations. During the annual observance, organizations highlight their activities in promoting the importance of appropriate antibiotic use and resistance.
Slowing the development of resistance and preserving effective antimicrobials for use in animals and humans are priorities for swine veterinarians. The AASV was a leader in developing and promoting guidelines for the judicious use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. In 1999, the AASV published the Basic Guidelines of Judicious Therapeutic Use of Antimicrobials in Pork Production, with subsequent revisions in 2004, 2014, and a scheduled revision in the upcoming year.
The pharmaceutical issues, pork safety, and human health and safety committees continuously address issues with antimicrobial use and resistance. They research new issues, develop educational material for members, provide feedback regarding new policy, disseminate information, and develop recommendations and guidance for the AASV. If this sounds interesting, consider joining one of these committees!
It is critical that we maintain our representation and participate in conversations with other organizations where discussions and decisions about judicious use and stewardship are made. We work closely with other pork industry partners to build relationships and discuss antimicrobial use with the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC.
The AASV has two member representatives on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Antimicrobials. Those AASV representatives helped develop the AVMA Antimicrobial Stewardship Definition and Core Principles, ensuring that they were consistent with the best practices for use in swine veterinary medicine:
- commit to stewardship,
- advocate for a system of care to prevent common diseases,
- select and use antimicrobial drugs judiciously,
- evaluate antimicrobial drug use practices, and
- educate and build expertise.
Moreover, it is important that we share our commitment to stewardship. New this year, the AASV joined other organizations in human, environmental, and animal health in making a commitment to the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Challenge. The AMR Challenge is a yearlong international effort to accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
In addition to identifying resources that increase the knowledge of veterinarians and promote the health and well-being of the pigs we care for, we also advocate for science-based approaches to veterinary, industry, and public health issues, including antimicrobial resistance. The AASV is committed to providing swine veterinarians the resources, information, and knowledge they need to use antimicrobials judiciously and promote stewardship among producers, which includes veterinary oversight, use data collection, and disease prevention.
Read more about AASV’s commitment at www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/intl-activities/amr-challenge.html.
During Antibiotic Awareness Week, AASV will highlight our commitment. You can participate and engage your practice and clients by
- following and reposting social media messages from AASV, the National Pork Board, and the National Pork Producers Council;
- using social media #USAAW19 #BeAntibioticsAware #AMRChallenge;
- sharing stories and activities you do as a veterinarian to promote stewardship;
- including articles about antibiotic use and resistance in your newsletters;
- holding dialogues about antimicrobial use and resistance with other stakeholders; and
- joining an AASV committee.
Watch for more announcements during Antibiotic Awareness Week, November 18-24, 2019.
Abbey Canon, DVM, MPH, DAC, VPM
Director of Communications