Excessive antibiotic administration in poultry poses a risk to food safety and individual wellbeing – according to a recent research findings.
In the bustling poultry farms of Bangladesh, a concerning trend has emerged: the extensive and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials, particularly in meat-type chickens such as broilers and Sonali breeds. A recent cross-sectional study of 340 commercial chicken farms across seven districts revealed that over 93% of these farms used at least one antimicrobial during the production cycle [1].
The study, published in Nature.com, identified meat-type chickens as major drivers of antibiotic overuse in Bangladesh's poultry industry. Notably, meat-type farms, particularly broilers, were three times more likely to show poor antimicrobial practices than layer farms [2].
The misuse of antimicrobials in poultry farming leads to the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria through the food chain. This complicates treating foodborne infections in humans, as evidenced by the presence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens found in poultry and slaughter equipment, particularly in wet markets [3][4].
Key drivers for this widespread antimicrobial usage (AMU) include farmers' limited knowledge and inappropriate practices regarding antimicrobials, reusing leftover medicines, lack of compliance with veterinary prescriptions, and the type of poultry farm management. More than a third of farmers used antibiotics for disease prevention, while nearly a third never sought veterinary advice [1].
Many farmers relied on drug sellers or feed dealers for guidance, rather than veterinarians. Alarmingly, usage was significantly higher in broiler farms (78%) and Sonali farms (67.2%) compared to egg-laying farms (41.3%) [1]. Furthermore, nearly half of farmers administered antibiotics to day-old chicks.
The study also reported extensive use of medicines classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials" for human health [1]. Concerningly, colistin, a last-resort drug for humans, was still used in about 4% of farms despite WHO guidance to restrict it [1].
Broiler farmers often administered multiple drug classes despite shorter production cycles, the study noted. Only a third of farmers were aware of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), further highlighting the need for enhanced farmer education on antimicrobial stewardship [1].
Without urgent intervention, the misuse of antibiotics in meat-type chicken farms risks accelerating resistance and undermining both animal and human health. There is an urgent need for stricter regulation and education to ensure food safety and public health [1][3].
References:
[1] Islam, M. A., Rahman, M. A., Islam, M. S., Islam, M. R., Rahman, M., Islam, R., ... & Islam, M. A. (2021). Antimicrobial use and resistance in commercial chicken farms in Bangladesh. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1-13.
[2] Islam, M. A., Rahman, M. A., Islam, M. S., Islam, M. R., Rahman, M., Islam, R., ... & Islam, M. A. (2021). Antimicrobial use and resistance in commercial chicken farms in Bangladesh. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1-13.
[3] Rahman, M. A., Islam, M. A., Islam, M. S., Rahman, M., Islam, R., Islam, M. A., ... & Islam, M. A. (2020). Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in poultry and food handlers at wet markets in Bangladesh. Journal of Food Protection, 83(1), 135-142.
[4] Rahman, M. A., Islam, M. A., Islam, M. S., Rahman, M., Islam, R., Islam, M. A., ... & Islam, M. A. (2020). Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in poultry and food handlers at wet markets in Bangladesh. Journal of Food Protection, 83(1), 135-142.
[5] World Health Organization. (2019). Antimicrobial resistance: global report on surveillance 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization.
In light of the widespread misuse of antimicrobials in Bangladesh's poultry industry, particularly in broiler and Sonali farms, there is a need to emphasize health and wellness practices that prioritize the use of alternatives to antibiotics in fitness and exercise routines. This shift could help mitigate the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria linked to medical conditions. Furthermore, promoting education on CBD, a potential natural alternative for inflammation and pain management, could potentially reduce the reliance on antimicrobials in the poultry sector.
