BVA highlights antimicrobial resistance on World Veterinary Day

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called on animal health professionals to take heed of the dangers posed by antimicrobial resistance to mark World Veterinary Day.

Held on April 28th 2012, the event was organised by the World Veterinary Association, with drug resistance chosen as this year's theme due to the increasing prevalence of the issue.

According to the BVA, more prudent use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine is essential in order to stop them losing their effectiveness, while broader-ranging studies into the subject must be carried out, covering both human and animal health applications.

The matter will be discussed further at the BVA Congress in Liverpool this September.

BVA president Carl Padgett said: "We preach a clear message of responsible use. In both the human and veterinary worlds we must use these vital medicines responsibly, or risk losing them completely."

Despite this, the BVA warned against overreaction to the issue in March 2012 following a Soil Association report suggesting antibiotic use on UK farms is contributing to the rise of drug-resistant human E. coli infections.