Those of us in the U.S. are well-aware of efforts to vaccinate for disease prevention and use antibiotics judiciously. Some organic and antibiotic-free operations operate with them. Perspectives from other parts of the world offer insight into why antibiotics remain necessary for humane livestock production. Kenneth Wameyo, secretary of the Kenya Veterinary Association, shares why antibiotics help his country’s small-scale agriculture.
Source: Thomas Reuters Foundation News, November 13, 2017. Link.
One of the biggest challenges, especially when it comes to the kind of small-scale farming we have across sub-Saharan Africa, is hygiene. For example, we often find chickens are raised outdoors . . . they are more susceptible to diseases form wild birds that then quickly spread throughout the farm. However, if we could improve hygiene . . . we could slash our antibiotic use . . . One opportunity to do this is by making the case for investing in vaccinations. Farmers, especially in developing countries, are often reluctant to spend money on vaccinations to solve a health problem that has not yet occurred.
INSIGHTS: Wameyo column, spurred by last year’s World Health Organization’s antibiotic guidelines, reveals common challenges. As importantly, it is a reminder that vaccination is the most important animal health tool available.