health & wellbeing
Blame game around antibiotic resistance has to stop
Current dire warnings about the ‘apocalypse’ facing the globe should antibiotics lose their effectiveness have been echoed by a Kingston University microbiology expert.
Professor Mark Fielder said the battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) required a ‘one health’ resolution involving developing better diagnostic tools, further reducing drug use and identifying new antibiotics. His comments come after England’s chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies issued a call to action to global leaders, urging them to come together to fight the growing threat of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. “Dame Sally’s comments today highlight the need for better vigilance and surveillance of antibiotic resistance,” he said. “We can’t let this drop from the radar – people need to realise this is a problem that needs a constant and committed response. It’s another call to arms to make sure we develop better and faster ways to properly diagnose infections, so we can aid our vets and medics to treat in a more targeted and appropriate way and give them the tools to prescribe correctly.”
Professor Fielder said progress had been made in tackling resistance in recent years, with Britain leading the way in bringing down antibiotic usage in humans and animals – citing a 71 per cent reduction in the use of the drugs in poultry between 2012 and 2016.
But he said efforts to find new antibiotics needed to continue, alongside work to protect those we currently have, to prevent a return to the ‘medical dark ages’ where even routine operations could be fatal.
“Here at Kingston University we are working hard at developing rapid new diagnostic tests for use in both the human and animal sectors,” he added. “We are also undertaking some pioneering work looking for new antibiotics that could be exploited to help in filling up the discovery void. The fact is, this problem is here and it’s not going away. We need scientists and clinicians – who care for patients with both four legs and two – to come together to form solutions.”
Equine Page 28 Denmark bans tight nosebands
From 2018, Denmark will enforce a limit on how tight a noseband can be after research by the Danish Equestrian Federation, headed by FEI vet Mette Uldahl, reported a clear correlation between tight nosebands and lesions in horses’ mouths.
The new 2018 rule, which will apply to all disciplines, means there will have to be a 1.5cm gap between the horse’s nasal plate and the noseband being used. Trials of measurement methods are being done by technical delegates at 2017 event in preparation for the new rule. This is to ensure the measurement method has been tested and adapted as required to ensure both officials and riders can get used to the procedure, but no sanctions will be imposed this year. From January 1st, officials will check the tightness of nosebands at competitions in all instances where there is a suspicion that the noseband is too tight. The aim is to ensure that competition riding always takes place with sufficient governance of horse welfare.
If a noseband is found to be too tight, the rider will be asked to loosen it according to the rules, after which the competitor can participate in the competition.
Refusal to comply, or repeated violations, will lead to sanctions. Would you like to see a similar rule in the UK? Share your views on our facebook page.
This tight noseband is flattening the hair of the nose and is now seen as a welfare issue
BEVA appoints new President
Jonathan Pycock, an equine claims consultant for the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) and equine reproduction expert, has been appointed as President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) for 2016/17. He takes over the role from Vicki Nicholls and Renate Weller becomes President Elect. Jon Pycock qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, after which he completed a PhD in mare gynaecology. He went on to work the UK breeding season for private equine practices both in the UK and the southern hemisphere before taking a position at the University of Utrecht Veterinary School in the Netherlands as Assistant Professor in the Reproduction Department. Jon set up his own successful practice Equine Reproductive Services in 1996. He sold the business to colleagues when he was appointed as an equine claims consultant for the VDS. He also lectures worldwide on all aspects of equine reproduction and how to avoid litigation in equine practice. Jon joined BEVA Council for the second time in 2014 and has been heavily involved in the Clinical Practice and Ethics and Welfare Committees. During his Presidency Jon intends to help members celebrate the positives of a career as an equine veterinary professional. He hopes to assist colleagues to achieve the
correct work/life balance and encourage active participation in the Association. He is keen to encourage interest in equine reproduction to address the shortfall of research in this area. He also aims to develop and take forward the many relationships BEVA has with other equine organisations throughout Europe and the world.
He said: “I feel honoured and privileged to have been given the opportunity to be BEVA President. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I am well up for doing my best and am 100% ready for the challenging and exciting year ahead.”
For further information visit
www.beva.org.uk
President of the British Equine
Veterinary Association Jon Pycock. Image courtesy of David Boughey
www.theequinesite.co.uk
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