Framework outlines One Health collaboration on antimicrobial resistance
The World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) yesterday published a strategic framework for One Health collaborations on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The collaboration between the four groups expands the efforts of the tripartite organizations (WHO, OIE, and FAO), which have been working together for several years to support the development and implementation of national AMR action plans that address the spread of AMR in humans and animals. With increased awareness of the role that the environment plays in developing and spreading resistant pathogens, the addition of UNEP aims to strengthen the integration of environmental aspects of AMR into the joint work.
"The overall role of the Tripartite and UNEP is intended to catalyse and support a One Health response, recognizing that many of the actions needed to address AMR are sector-specific and the responsibility of governments, civil society and the private sector," the framework states.
The two primary objectives laid out in the framework are to 1) optimize the production and use of antimicrobials along the whole life cycle, from research and development to disposal and 2) decrease the incidence of infections in humans, animals, and plants to reduce the development and spread of AMR. The groups aim to help countries achieve those objectives by helping countries recognize AMR as a priority, supporting the creation of policies and laws that support a One Health response, advocating for access to good-quality antimicrobials, and ensuring that national AMR action plans are implemented and resourced.
"We look forward to further strengthening collaboration among our four organizations and with our partners as we work to implement the framework in the coming years," the leaders of the four organizations wrote in a foreword. "Most importantly, we hope that by leveraging our organizations' respective resources and strengths that the multilateral system will make a strong contribution to results and impact across all sectors as the world strives to prevent and mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance."
Apr 6 One Health strategic framework
CDC: Norovirus outbreak tied to raw oysters sickens more than 100
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday announced a new norovirus outbreak that has sickened at least 103 people in 13 states, tied to eating raw oysters from British Columbia.
"Anyone who consumes raw shellfish is at risk of contracting norovirus. Children younger than five years old, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, or taste normal," the CDC warned.
The Food and Drug Administration confirmed that potentially contaminated raw oysters harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound, British Columbia, were distributed to restaurants in several states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Each of those states have reported cases.
Norovirus is the most common form of foodborne illness in the United States, causing 2,500 outbreaks of illness annually. Most people recover within 3 days.
Apr 6 CDC report