New guidelines aim to promote judicious antibiotic use in pets
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) yesterday released new joint recommendations for judicious antibiotic use in cats and dogs.
The guidelines, developed by an expert task force, urge companion animal veterinarians to commit to core principles of antimicrobial stewardship as defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association, emphasize preventive care and routine health monitoring, and work with animal owners to ensure that antibiotics are only used when necessary. When the decision is made to use antibiotics, veterinarians should strive to “optimize therapeutic efficacy, minimize resistance to antimicrobials, and protect public and animal health.”
The guidelines also recommend that veterinarians teach pet owners about good animal care practices and hygiene, use therapeutic alternatives where appropriate, consider “watchful waiting” to observe whether a condition truly needs antibiotic therapy, and use diagnostic testing to determine whether an infection is bacterial and will be helped by antibiotics.
“This effort is critical to ensure we continue to have drugs that are effective against bacterial infections,” Erin Frey, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, co-author and task force chair of the guidelines, said in an AAHA/AAFP press release. “Bacterial pathogens will always find ways to resist antibiotics, but overuse of antibiotics or using them when it’s not necessary expedites this process, ultimately leaving us with bacteria that are impervious to treatment.”
Jul 7 AAHA/AAFP Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines
Jul 7 AAHA/AAFP press release
Ghana reports first Marburg virus case
Ghana reported its first-ever suspected cases of Marburg virus disease, according to World Health Organization (WHO) Africa. If confirmed, they will be the first two cases ever recorded in that country.
Both unrelated patients with suspected cases, from the southern Ashanti region, died. They both presented with symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
Marburg virus is closely related to Ebola and is considered a highly infectious and lethal viral hemorrhagic fever.
“The health authorities are on the ground investigating the situation and preparing for a possible outbreak response. We are working closely with the country to ramp up detection, track contacts, be ready to control the spread of the virus,” said Francis Kasolo, MD, WHO representative in Ghana.
Last year, Guinea reported a single case. Previous outbreaks have been recorded in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda.
According to the WHO, Marburg is transmitted by fruit bats to humans and spreads easily through body fluids.
Jul 7 WHO report
Chad, Niger, Yemen report vaccine-derived polio cases
In its weekly update, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reports 3 vaccine-derived (cVDPV2) polio cases in Chad, 1 case in Niger, and 4 in Yemen.
The 3 cases in Chad bring the total in 2022 to 8 cases in that country. One case was recorded in Chari-Baguirmi, and 2[ were documented in N’Djamena.
The single case in Maradi, Niger, brings the 2022 total to 2. In 2021, the country recorded 18 cases.
In Yemen, the 4 cases bring that nation’s total for the year to 49. “Almost two-thirds of the areas reporting the bulk of cVDPV2 cases have not implemented any type 2-containing polio vaccination campaign, underscoring the risk both to local children and to neighbouring countries,” the GPEI said. “Intensive efforts are ongoing to access Yemen’s northern governorates with polio vaccine.”
Jul 7 GPEI report
