THERAPEUTIC ANTIBIOTICS IN ANIMAL FEEDS AND ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANCE

Recent statutory changes involving animal drugs are expected to facili tate the therapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feeds in the United States of America. The use of antibiotics in animal feeds is controver sial due to the potential development of resistant bacterial pathogens in food-producing animals which are exposed to the antibiotics and th e resultant public health risk. Zoonotic micro-organisms can be transm itted to humans through contact with animal populations, either direct ly or through the consumption of contaminated food. Recommendations to address the public health concerns include the strengthening of profe ssional education in the areas of infectious diseases and the appropri ate selection and use of antimicrobial agents, the development of a co mprehensive food safety education programme for food-animal veterinari ans and animal producers, and the development of surveillance programm es to monitor antimicrobial resistance among zoonotic pathogens. Early identification of emerging resistance can facilitate a timely and app ropriate public health response.