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  • 1.  Our Shared Responsibility: Antibiotics, Pets, and Community Health

    Posted yesterday
    U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week


    Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us

    Today we kick off U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, held nationwide every year from November 18–24. Even though the week is titled "Antibiotic" Awareness Week, the CDC emphasizes responsible use of both antibiotics and antifungals, because antimicrobial resistance (AMR) affects bacteria and fungi alike.

    AMR remains one of the most serious global health threats. The CDC estimates that in the U.S. alone, antimicrobial-resistant infections cause more than 2.8 million illnesses and over 35,000 deaths each year.

     

    Why Appropriate Use Matters

    One of the most important things to remember is that antibiotics treat bacterial infections-not viral infections. They are effective for illnesses such as strep throat or urinary tract infections, but not for colds, flu, RSV, or most sore throats.

    If you're feeling unwell, resist the urge to ask your doctor for antibiotics. Instead, let your doctor evaluate what's actually making you sick and whether an antibiotic is needed. Taking antibiotics when they aren't necessary, or taking them longer than prescribed, teaches bacteria how to survive-driving the development of resistance.

    Vaccination is also a powerful tool. By preventing infections in the first place, vaccines reduce the need for both antibiotics and antifungals.

     

    Antifungal Resistance is Also Rising

    Antimicrobial resistance includes more than bacteria. Fungi can also develop resistance to antifungal medications. Emerging pathogens like Candida auris are becoming more difficult to treat and illustrate why appropriate antifungal use is equally important.

     

    A One Health Perspective

    AMR is a One Health issue because resistant microbes move across people, pets, livestock, wildlife, food systems, and the environment.

    In U.S. food-animal production, a substantial share of antibiotic sales are for livestock, including many that the FDA classifies as medically important antibiotics-drug classes that are essential for treating bacterial infections in humans (such as penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides).

    Regulatory changes have greatly reduced the use of antibiotics for growth promotion, but concerns remain about non-therapeutic use contributing to resistance. Resistant bacteria from food-animal environments can potentially move through the food chain or through environmental pathways.


    What about our pets?

    The risk of pets transmitting antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to people appears to be low based on current evidence. Still, thoughtful antibiotic use in veterinary medicine, good hygiene, and routine preventive care help safeguard everyone in the household.

     

    What We Can All Do

    • Only use antibiotics or antifungals when genuinely needed.
    • Take them exactly as prescribed-no skipping doses, no sharing, no saving for later.
    • Keep vaccinations up to date for yourself, your family, and your pets.
    • Practice good hygiene, including safe food handling and regular handwashing.
    • Talk with your doctor or your veterinarian about when antimicrobial treatment is appropriate.

    Fighting antimicrobial resistance truly takes all of us.

    Thank you for being part of this community and for the work you do to support families and their pets. 

    https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance

    https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/about/index.html

    https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/communication-resources/usaaw.htmlwareness Week (USAAW) Toolkit | Antimicrobial Resistance | CDC

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4520913/

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4638249/

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10336692/


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    Michael J Blackwell, DVM, MPH, FNAP
    Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.)
    Director, Program for Pet Health Equity
    University of Tennessee
    https://pphe.utk.edu
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  • 2.  RE: Our Shared Responsibility: Antibiotics, Pets, and Community Health

    Posted yesterday

    U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week - Go Purple
    Thank you Dr @Michael Blackwell for sharing this important reminder as we begin U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week. AMR truly is a One Health challenge, and I appreciate how clearly this message highlights the connections across human health, animal health, and the environment.

    The points about responsible use-in both antibiotics and antifungals-are so important. It can be easy to forget that resistance extends beyond bacteria, and emerging fungal threats show why appropriate use across all antimicrobial classes matters.

    I also appreciate the emphasis on vaccination and prevention. Keeping people and pets healthy from the start reduces the need for antimicrobials altogether, which is one of the most effective ways to slow resistance.

    From a One Health perspective, the reality that resistant microbes can move through food systems, the environment, and even household settings makes stewardship something we all share. Whether it's using antimicrobials thoughtfully in clinical settings, supporting responsible use in agriculture, or simply practicing good hygiene at home, each of us plays a role.

    Thank you for bringing attention to this important week-and for highlighting how collective action drives progress against AMR. You can explore the CDC's U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week toolkit using the link below to learn more and share resources.



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    T' Fisher, Director of Operations
    Program for Pet Health Equity
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    Original Message


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