2024/10/08
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Introduction to Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Section

Introduction to Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Section

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a growing threat to global public health, affecting both human and animal health. The second Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2023-2027) was launched in November 2022, detailing the commitment of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to controlling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Section was established in 2017 to lead the actions targeting the veterinary sector and is currently taking the following actions to combat AMR at the level of local food animal farms:

  • A consultancy study was commissioned to devise and establish long-term active surveillance programmes for antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR on local food animal farms. The consultancy study had been completed and the surveillance programmes were implemented in mid-2019. Our section will use this system to monitor and measure the changes in AMR patterns as well as the progress in promoting responsible and prudent AMU on local food animal farms
  • Domestic guidelines for local livestock farmers on the proper use of antimicrobials, particularly those critically important in human medicine, are being developed by the AFCD by taking into consideration the local situation as well as standards adopted by international organisations, including the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO)
  • We will facilitate and support projects for provision of veterinary services to local food animal farms including disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention and management and sourcing veterinary medications by the non-government veterinary sector. This will lead to the development of tailor-made disease management plans which will help individual farms address AMR issues
  • The “veterinary prescription-only medication supply” policy, whereby antimicrobials can be administered to food animals only by farmers with prescriptions from registered veterinary surgeons, will be implemented by the AFCD when proper support and veterinary services are available to the local food animal production sector in respect of disease prevention and treatment.
  • Educational seminars for local livestock farmers are organized and surveys are conducted to respectively improve and assess their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards AMR issues
  • Publicity activities are organized to provide the public with updated information and raise their awareness of AMR issues

 

THE WAY FORWARD

The ultimate goal of the AFCD’s action in combating AMR on local food animal farms is to enhance farm management and biosecurity to achieve better livestock disease prevention and control, thereby promoting responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials and minimizing the development of AMR.