AMR

Implementing WOAH's strategy on antimicrobial resistance in Africa

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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of microorganisms to resist antimicrobial treatments, especially antibiotics.

Inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) is a key factor that leads to the development of AMR. This includes overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents in humans, animals and plants. As a result, a multisectoral One Health approach is necessary to combat AMR.

WOAH hosts ANIMUSE, an interactive and automated database that allows countries to report, access, analyse and communicate data on antimicrobials intended for use in animals to different stakeholders.

Following the adoption of the World Health Organisation (WHO) AMR Global Action Plan (GAP) in 2015, the Tripartite (FAO, WOAH and WHO) collaborated in developing a manual to support countries in developing their National Action Plans (NAPs) that are aligned with the GAP.

In November 2016, the WOAH Strategy on AMR and the prudent use of antimicrobials was developed and is aligned with the GAP.  The strategy was revised in 2020 and recognizes the importance of a “One Health” approach in addressing AMR. 

In 2022, the Quadripartite, as leaders in the multilateral system on human, animal, plant and environmental health launched the WHO, FAO, OIE, UNEP Strategic framework for collaboration on AMR. This was a milestone showcasing what they will do jointly to support countries’ efforts to scale up national responses to AMR.

Implementation of AMR NAPs in Africa is currently mostly supported by the Fleming Fund (FF) and the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) which seeks to combat the threat of antimicrobial drug resistance through strategic collaboration, sustainable streams of capital, and Sustainable Development Goal-focused responses that support localized ‘One Health’ National Action Plans.

Active engagement of the animal health sector is crucial in achieving the one health approach to the fight against AMR. 

To this effect, the extra-ordinary Regional Commission for Africa meeting on AMR held during the 2nd WOAH Global Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance and Prudent Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Animals “Putting Standards into Practice (Marrakesh, Morocco, October 2018) identified communication, laboratory training on disease diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as well as training on risk assessment for AMR, antibiotic stewardship, AMR/AMU data collection and analysis and epidemiology as top priorities.

The WOAH Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance is aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan and recognizes the importance of a “One Health” approach – involving human and animal health, agricultural and environmental needs. It outlines the goals and tactics we have in place to support Member Countries and to encourage the national ownership and implementation.

WOAH International Standards are available  (Terrestrial Code and Terrestrial Manual) to guide member countries on AMR surveillance in animals,  Monitoring AMU in food-producing animals, Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine, and Risk analysis for AMR in animals.

The Aquatic Animal Health Code gives guidance controlling antimicrobial resistance Controlling resistance, Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials in aquatic animals, Monitoring quantities and use of antimicrobials in aquatic animals, AMR surveillance in aquatic animals and Risk analysis for AMR in aquatic animals

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More information :

Africa AMR Communications and Advocacy Strategy - Draft - 08 November 2021
Africa AMR Communications and Advocacy Strategy - Draft - 08 November 2021

PDF - 635.55KB

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Eighth Annual Report on Antimicrobial agents intended for use in Animals
Eighth Annual Report on Antimicrobial agents intended for use in Animals

PDF - 893.19KB

Seventh Annual Report on Antimicrobial agents intended for use in Animals
Seventh Annual Report on Antimicrobial agents intended for use in Animals

PDF - 6.69MB

Sixth Annual Report on Antimicrobial agents intended for use in Animals
Sixth Annual Report on Antimicrobial agents intended for use in Animals

PDF - 3.48MB

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5th Annual report on the use of antimicrobial agents in animals – Better understanding of the global situation (April 2021) (English) (en Anglais)
5th Annual report on the use of antimicrobial agents in animals – Better understanding of the global situation (April 2021) (English) (en Anglais)

PDF - 3.56MB

4th Annual report on the use of antimicrobial agents in animals – Better understanding of the global situation (Feb 2020) (English) (en Anglais)
4th Annual report on the use of antimicrobial agents in animals – Better understanding of the global situation (Feb 2020) (English) (en Anglais)

PDF - 3.51MB

List of antimicrobial agents of veterinary importance (en Anglais)
List of antimicrobial agents of veterinary importance (en Anglais)

PDF - 120.97KB

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WOAH Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance (en Anglais)
WOAH Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance (en Anglais)

PDF - 308.67KB

Responsible and prudent use of antibiotics in animals
Responsible and prudent use of antibiotics in animals

PDF - 72.74KB

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Antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance

PDF - 133.20KB

3rd Annual report on the use of antimicrobial agents in animals – Better understanding of the global situation (English) (en Anglais)
3rd Annual report on the use of antimicrobial agents in animals – Better understanding of the global situation (English) (en Anglais)

PDF - 2.81MB

Applicable WOAH  standards

Terrestrial Animal Health Code:

Chapter 6.7.
Introduction to the recommendations for controlling antimicrobial resistance

Chapter 6.8
Harmonisation of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring programmes

Chapter 6.9.
Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in food-producing animals

Chapter 6.10
Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine

Chapter 6.11.
Risk analysis for antimicrobial resistance arising from the use of antimicrobial agents in animals

 

Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals:

Chapter 2.1.1.
Laboratory methodologies for bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility testing

 

Aquatic Animal Health Code:

Chapter 6.1.
Introduction to the recommendations for controlling antimicrobial resistance

Chapter 6.2.
Principles for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in aquatic animals

Chapter 6.3.
Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in aquatic animals

Chapter 6.4.
Development and harmonisation of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring programmes for aquatic animals

Chapter 6.5.
Risk analysis for antimicrobial resistance arising from the use of antimicrobial agents in aquatic animals

Picture © O. Valsson (oie) 2018
Picture © A. Habtamu (ILRI) 2018

Milk

Picture © P. Bastiaensen (oie) 2014
Picture © P. Bastiaensen (oie) 2014

Cattle Dairy Milk

Picture © P. Bastiaensen (oie) 2018

Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Groups (IACG)

Africa (continent – wide)

 

WOAH

Karim Tounkara
[email protected]
(Bamako)

 

WHO

Walter Fuller
[email protected]
(Brazzaville)

Laetitia Gahimbare
[email protected]
(Brazzaville)

 

FAO

Irene Ouoba
[email protected]
(Accra)

UNEP

Levis Kavagi
[email protected]
(Nairobi)

 

Southern Africa

 

WOAH

Mohamed Sirdar
[email protected]

(Gaborone)

 

FAO

Mark Obonyo
[email protected]
(Zimbabwe)

 

WHO

 

 

Eastern Africa

 

WOAH

Jane Lwoyero
[email protected]
(Nairobi)

 

FAO

Tabitha Kimani
[email protected]
(Nairobi)

 

WHO

Eunice Omesa
[email protected]
(Nairobi)

 

 

 

Country progress

Global Database for Tracking Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Country Self- Assessment Survey (TrACSS)

Country Self-Assessment 2023

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WHO Regional Office for Africa

WHO AMR National Action Plan (NAP) Library

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WHO Regional Office for Africa

Supporting countries with national action plan implementation

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Social media links

FLICKR
2018 AMR side-meeting of the OIE Regional Commission for Africa at the 2nd Global Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Marrakech

Flickr photo album

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