We’ve been actively involved in fighting the emergence of antimicrobial resistance for more than 30 years with the development of guidelines, codes of practice and policies.
Antibiotic resistance is a global concern, and the veterinary profession is working alongside human health professionals to address the issue.
Veterinarians rely on antibiotics to treat animals and prevent suffering in pets, livestock and other animals. It is critical that they are able to retain access to the essential medications they need, for the protection of animal health and welfare.
Australian veterinarians are trained and experienced in the principles of judicious antimicrobial use. As a result, Australian animals have low levels of antibiotic resistance in their bacterial fauna, compared to other countries.
In 2015, the Australian Government released its first ever national strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance. It included a number of priorities for action relating to antibiotic use in animals, as well as issues relating to veterinary practice such as infection prevention and control. Subsequently Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy – 2020 and Beyond (the 2020 Strategy) was released, and from that Australia’s Animal Sector Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan 2023 to 2028 (Action Plan) was developed under the leadership of the Australian CVO, Dr Mark Schipp. This aligns with the 7 objectives of and the priority activities of the One Health Master Action Plan for Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2020 & Beyond (OHMAP). It provides Australia’s animal health and animal industry sectors with agreed priority activities for the terrestrial and aquatic animal sectors to implement the 2020 Strategy. The AVA has been an active participant in the development and implementation of all of these national strategies.
AVA’s work in the fight against AMR
There are several streams to the program – antibiotic prescribing guidelines, antimicrobial stewardship, community awareness, and the national One Health policy agenda.
- Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines
In 2017 the AVA embarked on a joint project with Animal Medicines Australia, to develop best-practice prescribing guidelines for horses and livestock species. We are two thirds of the way through this major undertaking, with guidelines for Pigs, Poulty, Sheep, Dairy Cattle and Feedlot Cattle completed (see: “AMR Resources”, below). Beef Cattle and Horse guidelines to follow. - Antimicrobial stewardship
Evidence-based prescribing guidelines already exist for dogs and cats (AIDAP prescribing guidelines). In 2016, AVA coordinated a pilot trial of an antimicrobial stewardship program with companion animal practices in Canberra. This idea was at the instigation of two Canberra practitioners and was supported by a small working group of staff and volunteers. - Community awareness
AVA has participated in Antibiotic Awareness Week since 2012 and has been represented on the national organising committee since 2013. This will continue as a way of helping increase understanding about antibiotic use and resistance in animals among animal owners and human health professionals. - One Health policy agenda
AVA is represented on the Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (ASTAG), and this group has been monitoring the implementation plan for the National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy. The implementation plan includes a number of key projects and concerns recommended by AVA. A new plan will be developed shortly, and the AVA will make contributions into this process.
AMR Resources
These videos provide more information on AMR and the role of the veterinary profession in fighting this global threat.
AMR is an increasingly serious threat to global public health
WHO has recognised antimicrobial resistance as an increasingly serious threat to global health. As prescribers of antibiotics, veterinarians play an important role to play in fighting AMR.
What’s the AVA doing in the fight against AMR?
From our antimicrobial stewardship pilot trial to developing prescribing guidelines, the AVA is playing an active role in fighting AMR.
The veterinarian’s role in fighting AMR
Fighting antimicrobial resistance is something veterinarians do every single day. Both small and large animal veterinarians have a responsibility to educate clients about how to use antibiotics correctly.
The importance of infection prevention and control
Infection prevention and control is an important part of our ability to fight AMR and can be as simple as hand washing and ensuring animals have up-to-date vaccinations.
What can farmers do in the fight against AMR?
By ensuring they have top level biosecurity measures in place on their farms, Australian farmers are helping in our fight against AMR.
Is AMR a problem in Australia?
AMR is a global problem and it’s important that Australia continues to be on the forefront of fighting antimicrobial resistance.
- The AMR Vet Collective
- Wildlife Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidelines (AMR Vet Collective and Wildlife Health Australia)
- Prescribing veterinary antibiotics
- Safe handling of animals being treated with antibiotics
- Veterinary use of antibiotics highly important to human health – fact sheet
- AVA Guidelines for veterinary personal biosecurity – infection control guidelines
- AIDAP Antibiotic prescribing guidelines for dogs and cats
- AIDAP Infection Control Guidelines
- Guidelines for Prescribing Authorising and Dispensing Veterinary Medicines
- Agriculture Victoria
- University of Melbourne – Australian Veterinary Prescribing Guidelines on Antimicrobial Stewardship
- University of Minnesota Antimicrobial Resistance learning site
- Australian government website on AMR
- World Health Organization – Antimicrobial resistance
- Australian Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Timeline – 2021 Edition
- GRAM book – Guidance for the rational use of antimicrobials
- How Prevention Can Reduce the Need for Antibiotics
AVA-AMA Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for livestock species and horses project
- AVA-AMA Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses
- AVA-AMA Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for pigs
- AVA-AMA Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for poultry
- AVA-AMA Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for sheep
- AVA-AMA Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for dairy cattle
- AVA-AMA Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for feedlot cattle