Antibiotic resistance associated with aquaculture in Vietnam

Abstract

The fishery sector is an important source of income, employment and foodsupply in Vietnam. In 2014, Vietnam was ranked the world's fourthlargest exporter and the third largest producer of farmed food fish.Vietnam seafood export has attained the value of over US$6.0 billionsince 2011 and reached a peak of US$7.9 billion in 2014. However, manyproblems and diseases confront sustainable development of the fisherysector and overuse of antibiotics is considered a major challenge.Antibiotics are used in aquaculture for both therapeutic andprophylactic reasons. Various antimicrobials used in human medicine arealso used for food animals even for non-therapeutic use. The use ofantibiotics in health management of aquaculture farming is of greatconcern due to possible residues in aquatic products and in thedevelopment of antibiotic resistance. In 2005 the Vietnamese governmentfirst promulgated a list of medicines, chemicals and antibiotics thatare banned or limited for use in aquaculture and this is regularlyupdated and amended to tackle the growing problem of antibioticresistance.