The importance of a one health approach to preventing the development and spread of antibiotic resistance

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a continuing and growing problem. Antibiotic resistance causes increased deaths, complications, expenses and prolonged hospital stays. There are not likely to be many new classes of antibiotics becoming available in the next few decades. Weneed to take a "One Health" perspective to this problem. We need to preserve the usefulness of those antibiotics we currently have by decreasing their overall use in all sectors, and especially the use of broad spectrum agents. We also need to improve our ability to prevent infections and the spread of resistant bacteria wherever they arise or are found. This means improving our practices with infection control, hygiene and animal husbandry. We need to improve the development and the delivery of effective and safe vaccines to prevent infections. We need safe water supplies. Our failure to do this has already resulted in large numbers of people entering a "post-antibiotic era" for many common infections. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.