Each November, World Awareness Week on Antibiotics (WAAW) is commemorated. This year is being held from November 12^th to 18^th.

This initiative aims to increase global awareness of antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Since their discovery, antibiotics have served as the cornerstone of modern medicine. However, the persistent overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human and animal health have encouraged the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, which occurs when microbes, such as bacteria, become resistant to the drugs used to treat them.

We have treated in depth this topic in Veterinaria Digital. We highlight 5 examples:

Antibiotics in animal production, future perspectives and alternatives

The use of antibiotics in animal production is a controversial topic of discussion for a long time. Many discussions have been generated continuously regarding the use and prohibition of antibiotics in animal production, as well as the repercussions and alternatives in each case. Read more

Resistance to antibiotics
Use of plant extracts for the treatment of infectious diseases has been practiced since ancient times; however, the history of antibiotics begins at the beginning of the 20th century, with the finding of Rudolf Von Emmerich, a German bacteriologist who managed to isolate a substance capable of destroying the microorganisms that cause cholera and diphtheria, although without application in humans. Read more

Growth promoters in pig farming
The main target in pig farming is to maximize animal growth and its efficiency. This can be achieved by using growth-promoting substances which, when added in feed, modify digestive and metabolic pathways in order to improve feed digestion and achieve a significant increase in weight gain. Read more:

Antibiotic growth promoters and its natural alternatives in ruminants
Use of antibiotic growth promoters has been continued until about 10 years ago to ensure consistent production. However, its use has declined because of global concern about increasing antibiotic resistance, which leads to a problem in the treatment of infectious diseases in both animals and humans. Read more.

Antibiotic growth promoters
The AGPs were presented in the 50s as additives in the diet of animals for the production of meat, eggs and milk. The results of their application cannot be a subject of argue, however from very beginning of their use started a debate on possible negative effects in relation to food security; and impact on animal welfare and consumer health. Read more

World Antibiotics Awareness Week is an initiative of the World Health Organization, which has been launched untitled: “Change can’t wait. Our time with antibiotics is running out”.