Superbugs are bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to human and animal health. When it comes to animal health, the impact of superbugs is a growing concern due to the following reasons:
Transmission between animals and humans: Superbugs can transfer between animals and humans, making it a zoonotic concern. Animals raised in crowded conditions on farms are especially susceptible to antibiotic-resistant infections.
Limited treatment options: The development of superbugs reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating animal diseases. This can lead to increased suffering among animals and economic losses for farmers.
Increased use of antibiotics: In some agricultural practices, antibiotics are used as growth promoters or for disease prevention rather than treatment. This overuse contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance in animals.
Environmental impact: Antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria can enter the environment through animal waste, potentially affecting ecosystems and water sources.
Food safety: Superbugs in animals can contaminate the food supply. Consuming meat or products from animals carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria can pose health risks to humans.
Efforts are being made to address these issues, including promoting responsible antibiotic use in agriculture and veterinary medicine and researching alternative methods for disease prevention and treatment in animal.
-By Dr. Muhammad Jahidul Islam (DVM)
