Head of Department, Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Dr Ameji Negedu, has called for legislation on the use of antibiotics in animals to curb the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance in animals.
Negedu made the call during a training on Saturday in Jos, as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness week, with the theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together”.
He blamed the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance in animals during treatment on the absence of legislation.
He added that a strong legislation and policy would help to address the rise in antibiotics resistance in animals, which eventually affects humans who consume animal products.
According to him, the resistance, if not quickly addressed, could pose a serious health threat to both animals and humans.
He lamented that most livestock farmers administered antibiotics without any prescription or laboratory confirmation, leading to resistance.
He urged veterinarians to create awareness on the danger the misuse of antibiotics poses to both animals and humans.
Also, Dr Steve Dowoh, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Plateau, attributed the rise in antimicrobial (drug) resistance in animals to its use without prescription from a professional.
Dowoh, said the essence of the training was to enlighten students on the importance of using antimicrobials responsibly to avoid breeding resistance.

He added that the training was also to increase the students’ knowledge on antimicrobials to encourage best practices.

According to him, antimicrobial resistance played a vital role in re-emerging zoonotic diseases.

Earlier, the resource person, Dr Ibrahim Sini, called on livestock farmers to ensure optimal vaccination of livestock as a preventive measure against many diseases.

Sini further called on livestock farmers to ensure strict adherence to the drug withdrawal period.

He explained that when animals were administered antimicrobial, there was a withdrawal period in which humans were not allowed to consume animal products until the withdrawal period elapsed.

“Most livestock farmers failed to adhere to this and when such animal products are consumed before the expiration of the withdrawal period.

“The consumed products contain traces of the antibiotics which in the long run builds resistance in humans who consume the products”, he said.

A participant, Mr Eze Samuel, said the training was highly educational, adding that he learned the importance of administering drugs responsibly to avoid resistance.

The weeklong awareness campaign was organised to enlighten the students of veterinary medicine in the university, on the ills of antibiotics abuse and misuse.

The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with developmental partners in the health sector.