In support of this week’s World Antibiotic Awareness Week, NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) emphasises the important role of antibiotics in helping protect the health and welfare of our animals in the UK.
NOAH works to increase understanding of medicine use in both farm and companion animals, including the important issue of how the veterinary sector can work alongside its human medical colleagues to play its part in the global fight against antibiotic resistance.
“Animals play many significant roles in the lives of the British public,” explains Dawn Howard, Chief Executive of NOAH. “NOAH has worked for over 30 years to promote responsible use of animal medicines to ensure all animals have access to first class care in an effective, practical and sustainable way.
“To do this, veterinary surgeons need to continue to have access to a range of antibiotics, so they can prescribe the one most appropriate for any specific bacterial disease situation. NOAH supports responsible use, so helping to ensure the long-term effectiveness of these vital medicines, so important in preventing animal suffering,” adds Dawn. “We all share responsibility in ensuring that antibiotics are used appropriately – as little as possible, but as much as necessary.
“I believe a vital aspect of our role is to overcome the misunderstanding about how and why antibiotics are used in animals in the UK,” she says. “At NOAH have developed a new range of technical briefing documents and I would encourage anyone to visit our website, or contact us to discuss this issue.”
NOAH has also co-funded an innovative new video, Beat the Bugs, launched this week by the Bella Moss Foundation, which encourages the responsible use of antibiotics prescribed for both animals and people.
“I am delighted to support this year’s World Antibiotic Awareness Week, and feel it is a hugely positive step in increasing people’s understanding of antibiotics and awareness that everyone has a part to play in helping reduce the advance of resistance,” Dawn concludes.
PLEASE SEE LINK TO LATEST ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS VIDEO #BeatTheBugs produced by Bella Moss Foundation – SUPPORTED BY NOAH and Kennel Club Charitable Trust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5nTar7pU9Y
For more information please contact:
Alison Glennon at NOAH on 020 8367 3131 or see www.noah.co.uk
Andrew Kendall, Kendalls Communications, 02476 992 360
Notes for editors
Visit http://www.noah.co.uk/medicine-topics/antibiotics-for-animals/ to review NOAH’s information on antibiotics for animals.
Documents, which can be downloaded from www.noah.co.uk/resources-and-downloads/, include:
· Antibiotics for Animal Health and Welfare: An Overview
· Antibiotic Resistance
· Responsible Use of Antibiotics
The National Office of Animal Health represents the UK animal medicines industry. Its aim is to promote the benefits of safe, effective, quality medicines for the health and welfare of all animals.
The Bella Moss Foundation (BMF) was created in 2006 by London pet owner Jill Moss after her dog, Bella, became the first recorded pet to die of MRSA. Jill herself also caught the superbug from an ailing Bella. She was shocked that the infection was missed in practice and began campaigning to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a one health issue. As with other diseases, resistant bacteria are not speciesist!
The charity is small but mighty, staffed and supported by volunteers and animal health experts. A decade after Jill started BMF the charity continues to be active – as well as providing resources for health professionals, it runs a helpline for clinicians and the public and liaises with the Government and professional organisations on AMR communications.
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