Health risk from veterinary antimicrobial use in China's food animal production and its reduction. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Yuanan; Cheng, Hefa
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 219(2016)
• Page Start: 993
• Page End: 997
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Antimicrobial -- Intensive animal farming -- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) -- Drug residue -- Health risk -- Antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP); Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The overuse and misuse of veterinary drugs, particularly antimicrobials, in food animal production in China cause environmental pollution and wide food safety concerns, and pose public health risk with the selection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that can spread from animal populations to humans. Elevated abundance and diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and resistant bacteria (including multi-drug resistant strains) in food-producing animals, food products of animal origin, microbiota of human gut, and environmental media impacted by intensive animal farming have been reported. To rein in drug use in food animal production and protect public health, the government made a total of 227 veterinary drugs, including 150 antimicrobial products, available only by prescription from licensed veterinarians for curing, controlling, and preventing animal diseases in March 2014. So far the regulatory ban on non-therapeutic use has failed to bring major changes to the long-standing practice of drug overuse and misuse in animal husbandry and aquaculture, and significant improvement in its implementation and enforcement is necessary. A range of measures, including improving access to veterinary services, strengthening supervision on veterinary drug production and distribution, increasing research and development efforts, and enhancing animal health management, are recommended to facilitate transition toward rational use of veterinary drugs, particularly antimicrobials, and to reduce the public health risk arising from AMR development in animal agriculture. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in food-producing animals is a problem in China. Public health risk results from food-borne drug residues and antimicrobial resistance. Elevated antimicrobial resistance related to animal farming has been well documented. A regulatory ban was issued to control veterinary drug use and protect public health. Measures to facilitate transition toward rational veterinary drug use are recommended. Abstract : Capsule: Significant efforts are needed to improve veterinary drug use in food animal production to safeguard the safety of animal products and reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance in China.