BSAVA working with new ‘beat the bugs’ alliance

14 October 2016

BSAVA has joined pan-professional colleagues to establish an antimicrobial resistance alliance aimed at preventing the spread of resistant infections.

Leading infection control representatives from human and animal healthcare, including charity The Bella Moss Foundation (BMF), will work together to raise the profile of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training.

The BSAVA today urged the veterinary profession and pet owners to help slow the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, to mark European Antibiotics Awareness Day on November 18, within World Antibiotic Awareness Week from November 14-20.

BSAVA is encouraging members to use a new ‘beat the bugs’ video, produced by the Bella Moss Foundation aimed at members of the public. BSAVA has been working with Jill Moss for ten years, and is delighted to support the BMF’s anniversary campaign.

Antibiotics have been an important health tool since the discovery of penicillin in 1928 yet today antibiotic resistance is an international One Health concern. The number of infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria is growing, new antibiotic development is slow, and may be preserved for human healthcare, presenting a bleak outlook on effective veterinary antibiotic treatment in the future.

BSAVA’s PROTECT guidelines, developed with the Small Animal Medicine Society, have become an essential tool in helping practices ensure they are taking a responsible approach to antibacterial prescribing. This provides a checklist by which vets in practice can ensure they are taking the best course of action. For more information visit: www.bsava.com/Resources/Veterinary-resources/PROTECT

BSAVA President Susan Dawson said: “Antibiotics are a precious resource, vital to animal health, which should be preserved for the future.

“The veterinary profession is working hard to promote and practise responsible approaches to the use of these vital medicines, especially those that are highest priority in human medicine, as well as monitoring antibiotic use to better understand the threat of antimicrobial resistance and inform the way that vets prescribe these important medicines.”

World Antibiotic Awareness Week aims to increase awareness of global antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.