animal health | OZOLEA

The One Health approach against antimicrobial resistance

Marketing 18 March 2021 News

The fight against antimicrobial resistance deserves an urgent and coordinated approach, and many are the reasons why.

Humans coexist with animals in the same environment. The relationship is complex and interdependent. We deal with animals for food production and when they are wild and companion animals. This means that human health and animal health are strictly interconnected.

The environment where they live in also has a role in their relationship. All these connections can be a source for diseases which would impact public health, society and the economy. These diseases, commonly referred as zoonoses are transmissible from animals to humans and vice-versa through direct contact or with food, water, and environment.

This process involves resistant bacteria as well.

The principle that recognizes these interconnections between human and animal health is globally known by the term One Health, and the EU embraced this principle as a tool against antimicrobial resistance.

In June 2017, the European Commission adopted the EU One Health Action Plan against AMR. The aim was to call for effective action against this threat, which must be tackled in human and animal health and the environment. The prudent use of antimicrobials is vital to limit its spread. The action plan is built on 3 main pillars, which address its key objectives:

making the EU a best practice region;
boosting research, development and innovation;
shaping the global agenda.

From the implementation of this Action Plan forward, important updates aiming at strengthening EU’s response to AMR have been made. Among the key updates, it is worth citing the adoption of the Farm to Fork Strategy in May 2020, as we discussed previously (click here). This strategy is supported by the implementation of two new regulations [Reg. (EU) n. 2019/6 on Veterinary Medicinal Products (VMP Regulation) and Reg. (EU) n. 2019/4 on Medicated Feed (MF)], providing for a wide range of measures to tackle AMR and stimulate a more prudent use of antimicrobial products in animals.

At EU level, the AMR One-Health Network is chaired by the European Commission and involves government experts in human health and animal health, Commission experts, and the EU scientific agencies – namely ECDC, EMA, and EFSA. These agencies will provide scientific expertise on infection prevention, biosecurity measures and control practices in human healthcare and in animal husbandry for the reduction of infections and therefore the use of antimicrobials.

A One-Health approach is required to get better evidence, coordination, surveillance and control measures with a continuous and open dialogue between the European Commission, supported by all the experts above, and Member states.

The VMP Regulation is one of the tangible expressions of the efforts currently made by the EU against AMR. Its preamble n. 41 clearly defines the need of a One-Health approach to AMR: it is recognized as a complex issue, it has a cross-border dimension and implies a high economic burden for the society. Moreover, “its impact goes beyond its severe consequences for human and animal health and has become a global public health concern that affects the whole of society and requires urgent and coordinated intersectoral action in accordance with the ‘One Health’ approach.”

With the VMP Regulation, all the actors from the livestock sector are called to be part of this approach by proactively improving best practices throughout the production chain and building reciprocal and synchronized relationships. Let’s start getting ready for its application, there is lot of work to be done!

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Blanket dry cow therapy, ban on prophylaxis from January 2022. Any alternative? Selective treatment

Marketing 11 March 2021 News

One week ago, we introduced the new VMP Regulation. Among the key measures, it will reinforce the EU’s strategy against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by introducing a ban on the preventive use of antibiotics in groups of animals (prophylaxis) and other restrictions on irrational and unnecessary use of antibiotics. They will be used only by way of exception.

When thinking of prophylactic treatments in dairy cows, the one immediately coming to mind is blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT).

When it was first introduced more than seventy years ago, it was a revolutionary approach since it made possible for dairy farmers to deal with major udder issues as a treatment for intra-mammary infections, at the end of lactation and as a preventive measure for potential new infections at dry-off, which is one of the most delicate moment in a cow’s life.

Things have changed, and, with the help of veterinarians and technicians, dairy farmers have been playing their part in prevention better and better, year after year. Thus, while in the past blanket therapy was well justified by several reasons, now for many dairy farmers it is no more necessary.

On the contrary, it could be really detrimental, and the risk is substantially linked to AMR.

A not brand-new approach but the future: selective dry cow therapy

Despite these considerations, for all the EU dairy farmers BDCT, as a prophylactic treatment, will be banned from 28 January 2022. Time is running out, and in this pretty short period of time the ideal transition would be towards the application of selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) for all the dairy farms.

SDCT allows the dairy farmer to identify and individually treat cows or quarters likely to be infected at dry-off. Recently, scientific research has been able to verify whether SDCT could be successful in protecting udder health and to describe its effect on antimicrobial use and economics.

Actually, some dairy herds are not yet ready for SDCT.

What conditions should a dairy farmer consider for the introduction of a SDCT program in their dairy herd? Let’s make an overview.

Herd eligibility: what parameters?

SDCT can be really effective in those dairy herds with a good history of milk quality and dairy herd health. Despite its potential, SDCT involves some risks, thus we must ponder some aspects to have a successful SDCT program.

Specific questions should be made and, if the answer to all of them is yes, the herd is eligible for DCST.

Are somatic cell counts (SCC) and mastitis issues under control? At least, the followings have to occur:

bulk tank SCC constantly below the reference value of 200,000 cell/ml in the current lactation;
contagious mastitis pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae) under control;
no infections (including subclinical issues) at the time of drying-off;
no clinical mastitis events during current lactation.

We also have to think over the conditions of the environment where cows live. Are facilities for dry cows good and proper management practices in place? We will need:

excellent hygiene measures at dry-off and in calving facilities;
cleanliness maintained in housing;
the right space (1 cubicle) per each dry cow;
regular checks for any sign of mastitis.

To approach the correct SDCT program for any dairy herd, consulting veterinarians and attending training courses will be essential for the proper implementation of the therapy.

Once we have set up the SDCT program, methodically monitoring the work in progress is essential!

When the questions lead to “no”: how to prepare

When the dairy herd is not yet ready for a selective dry cow treatment, the farmer should rethink the principles on which the prevention of new infections is based. Here some basic indications:

careful hygiene management in lactation, dry period and calving facilities;
proper use of teat sealants when drying-off;
adequate management and attention in the specific diet variations during the cow’s transition period;
improvement of management and recording skills.

Remember, knowing the lactation history for each cow, for any related aspect (intra-mammary infections, treatments, SCC, etc.) is one of tool for a good SDCT program. Let’s start working on it consistently!

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Tackling antimicrobial resistance is of concern to the dairy sector: OZOLEA’s on board

Marketing 20 September 2020 News

“Antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis that threatens a century of progress in health and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”: the “No time to wait securing the future from drug-resistant infections” report, released by the Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance in April 2019, could not have been more straightforward. Antimicrobial resistance is a concrete threat for humans, animals and the environment, and this is particularly due to the fact that the drivers and impact of AMR lie in humans, terrestrial and aquatic animals, plants, food, feed and the environment. All these elements are interconnected to each other; thus, a “One Health” approach is essential to address this challenge on several aspects. Why there is no time to wait?

because every year, drug-resistant diseases already cause at least 700,000 deaths globally; if no action is taken, this figure could increase to 10 million deaths globally per year by 2050;
because the economic damage of uncontrolled antimicrobial resistance could be as dramatic as the experience we had during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis as a result of highly increased health care expenditures; impact on food and feed production, trade and livelihoods; and worsened poverty and inequality;
because if in higher-income countries a set of simple actions to address antimicrobial resistance could pay for itself, on the other hand, in lower-income countries, additional but still relatively modest investments are compellingly required.

Thus, tackling AMR must be a global effort to ensure animal and public health, food safety and environmental protection. It is an important mechanism since it limits the range of antimicrobial substances that can be used to treat infections with effectiveness. Reduced effectiveness of treatments can mean an increase in the prevalence and severity of disease in humans and animals, with consequent impact on animal welfare, human health, food safety and food security.

Although resistance is a natural mechanism, where resistance traits may be innately present in microbial populations or acquired by horizontal gene transfer, the irrational and not necessary use of antimicrobial substances is spurring the process. As a natural process, many factors (environmental stresses, chemical or other biological agents) may trigger these resistance traits, or these traits may be expressed under normal conditions. Chemical stressors include drugs, such as antibiotics. The prolonged or increased exposure to stressors leads to a selection of those microorganisms able to survive thanks to resistance genes, and this allows these microorganisms to proliferate and outcompete non-resistant microbes.

In general, antibiotics are essential “tools” for the treatment of infections, particularly those caused by bacteria. Therefore, when the moment requires the intervention with antibiotics, we cannot afford to stand still: we must act. In the dairy sector, the right approach in treating dairy cows affected by microbial infections must consider the ability of recognizing symptoms, thus, making a proper diagnosis. This implies the best advice made by a good veterinarian, but not only: the dairy farmer should be able to follow instructions related to dosage and standstill periods. Could this be enough? Not at all. When speaking of farming systems, and in general, food safety and biosecurity, preventive measures are our best performing weapons. These can really boost the effectiveness of antibiotic treatments, if strictly necessary, since they may minimize biological risks associated with microbial infections in dairy farms. As a consequence, reduced risks may correspond to a healthy and productive dairy herd, less milk waste, a safer milk for final consumers.

The global dairy position on antimicrobial resistance is pretty clear: as stated by the International Dairy Federation (IDF, which, since 1903, is a recognized international authority contributing actively to the development of science-based standards for the dairy sector), “tackling antimicrobial resistance in the dairy sector is a global effort to ensure animal and public health, and food safety”. The use of antimicrobials is only part of an animal health management programme aiming at limiting disease in animals and improve animal welfare: early detection of disease allows early intervention, thus minimizing the need of antibiotics.

Being at the forefront of the fight against antimicrobial resistance in the dairy sector, dairy farmers should not be left alone. They need professional support and advise in this great challenge we are all facing. In particular, optimal udder health in dairy cows is critical for a sustainable milk production from several point of view, including economic aspects. The adequate management of a dairy herd is fundamental also to control antibiotic use. In this context, OZOLEA, since its beginning, made a specific choice: sustainability. One of its goals is to be part of this big group of people, farmers, researchers, business operators who put lot of effort in tackling antibiotic resistance. Offering tailored solutions and alternatives, OZOLEA supports the use of rational antibiotics in dairy farms when no other solutions can be helpful and promotes any preventive actions and effective managements useful to avoid infections in dairy herds. A successful fight against antimicrobial resistance can be possible by applying comprehensive solutions: this would lead to a more sustainable, more productive, and more profitable dairy production.

The application of SafeMilk protocols, designed and promoted by OZOLEA, in combination with the use of OZOLEA’s products, have the potential to help the farmers in the fight of antibiotic resistance at a farm level. Applying SafeMilk protocols is a whole and complete farm management experience which means completely changing the approach to dairy farming. It is not a matter of charging farmers with further legal requirements or costs, since the more farmers rely on OZOLEA’s innovation, combining it with effective management in the farm, the more they will benefit in terms of less milk waste and less antibiotics purchase: thus, advantages that globally will make milk safer and more sustainable. A virtuous mechanism for the whole supply chain, up to the consumer. Find out more on SafeMilk project in this article.