Bookmark and Share

Saturday 13 July 2013

Australia's chief scientist sounds antibiotic resistance warning


Reform of the prescription of antibiotics for use in livestock is now inevitable.

The orthodoxy, worldwide, is tilting rapidly to recognise the threat and to try to do something about it.

It is sad that it took so long, and that such shameful methods were used to ensure that critics, of the practice trying to force reform, were deliberately smeared and harassed in Britain.

An investigation and enquiry in Britain is inevitable over the lost years: the years that probably cannot be recovered.

Anyway, official Australia starts to join the clamour to stop "misuse and overuse" in animal husbandry.

That's a big deal for a country where livestock is a massively important business.

Full Guardian news report here.

Australia's chief scientist sounds antibiotic resistance warning

Report says there is 'a genuine threat of humanity returning to an era where mortality due to common infections is rife'

Oliver Milman
guardian.co.uk, Friday 12 July 2013 08.35 BST

Antibiotics

A report from the Office of the Chief Scientist points to a 'collapse' in research and development of new antibiotics as an area of significant concern.

The growth of antibiotic-resistant infections represents a "looming public health issue" for Australia that requires "urgent" new funding to prevent deaths from minor ailments such as sore throats and cut knees, the country's top scientist has warned.

A report by the Office of the Chief Scientist (pdf) states there is "a genuine threat of humanity returning to an era where mortality due to common infections is rife".

The paper blames the "misuse and overuse" of antibiotics, such as for animal husbandry, for driving up resistance levels in humans...

..."We need clear restrictions on last-line antibiotics so that they aren't used on animals..."