Antimicrobial resistance information for veterinary practitioners

'Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses and parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard medical treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others. Resistance to current antimicrobials is increasing faster than the development of new drugs, and so effective treatments cannot keep pace. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes AMR as a looming crisis in which common and treatable infections will become life threatening.' (Antimicrobial resistance, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment)

Veterinary practitioners play an important role in limiting and minimising the spread of antimicrobial resistance and are encouraged to participate in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs. This page contains news and resources for veterinary practitioners from the Australian and Victorian Governments, the Australian Veterinary Association and other organisations.

AMR resources

International organisations:

• Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance - World Health Organisation
• Tripartite Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework for the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance - the World Health Organisation; the World Organisation for Animal Health; and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment:

• Antimicrobial resistance
• Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy - 2020 and Beyond
• Importance Ratings and Summary of Antibacterial Uses in Human and Animal Health in Australia

Agriculture Victoria (Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions):

• Antimicrobial resistance - explains the issues and the actions that can be taken, includes factsheets for download
• Information for veterinarians - includes key messages on fighting antibiotic resistance and posters to download.
• Resources and presentations - includes links to online courses and presentations from Australian Chief Veterinary Officers, a professor in microbiology from the University of Melbourne, and a dairy cattle specialist.

The University of Melbourne:

• Australian Veterinary Prescribing Guidelines - including companion animal, equine and bovine prescribing guidelines (NOTE: see prescribing guidelines for pigs in links under Australian Veterinary Association below)
• Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines - includes videos

The Australian Veterinary Assocation:

• Fighting antimicrobial resistance
• Antibiotic prescribing guidelines for pigs (PDF)

Training modules:

• Veterinary antimicrobial stewardship - Course developed by the Veterinary Schools of Australia and funded by the Australian Government

DISCLAIMER

The external sites on this page are controlled and produced by third parties. The Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria (VPRBV) has no control over and is not responsible or liable for the content of any third-party website.

Links to these websites are provided by VPRBV for user information only, and do not constitute an endorsement of any material, product or service that may be found at those sites. VPRBV makes no warranty, guarantee or representation in relation to the accuracy, currency, correctness, reliability, usability, suitability or any other aspect of any information and/or materials contained in external links. The VPRBV does not accept any liability for any form of loss or damage that may result from any person’s reliance on the information and/or materials contained in any external links.