AVMA to participate in global antimicrobial resistance conference

For more information Phone: 847-285-6687 Cell: 847-732-6194
For immediate release: 10/29/2018

​The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will share its message of antimicrobial stewardship with a global audience by participating in the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE) Global Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Morocco, Oct. 29-31.

Dr. Michael Costin, assistant director of the AVMA's Division of Animal and Public Health, will be presenting a poster during the conference, titled "Supporting Veterinarians in their Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Through Core Principles, Education, and Resources." Dr. Costin's poster will explain how incorporating the principles of antimicrobial stewardship into veterinary degree education, continuing education and USDA accreditation will ensure veterinarians are educated on the key tenets of successful veterinary antimicrobial stewardship and are well-positioned to integrate them successfully into their practices.

The AVMA's involvement in the OIE Global Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance is part of the association's commitment to ensuring the continued availability of these crucial medications while helping to prevent antimicrobial resistance in animals and people.

"Our participation in the OIE conference will allow the AVMA to interact with external stakeholders on a One Health platform to deal with antimicrobial use and resistance, and to share the resources the AVMA has developed to support antimicrobial stewardship," said Dr. Costin. "It's a great opportunity for us to make connections with colleagues from across the globe and make sure the collective voice of the AVMA is heard."

The OIE Global Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance aims to gather OIE delegates as well as experts, policymakers and international organizations to increase understanding of the current global situation on antimicrobial resistance in animals, and to develop recommendations for future control of antimicrobial resistance while ensuring animal health, animal welfare, public health and food security.

While the AVMA is not a formal partner with the OIE and its initiatives, the AVMA is heavily involved in global antimicrobial stewardship efforts. For example, the association recently signed on to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge, a year-long campaign to accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance across the globe. As part of this campaign, the AVMA has committed to the following goals:

  • Continue collaborating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on veterinary oversight of antimicrobials
  • Educate veterinarians and veterinary clients about antimicrobial stewardship, and provide guidance for implementing stewardship plans
  • Assist with enhanced surveillance of antibiotic use in animals
  • Promote research on infection control, responsible use of antimicrobials and development of alternatives
  • Engage with key international stakeholders to support antimicrobial stewardship

Earlier this year, the AVMA approved as policy the Definition of Antimicrobial Stewardship and Core Principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Practice, which marked the first time the U.S. veterinary profession unified behind a definition and core tenets of antimicrobial stewardship. Since their approval, the AVMA has actively worked to incorporate these documents into the matrix of veterinary education by providing continuing education opportunities and working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to incorporate them in accreditation requirements for national veterinary services.

In addition, the AVMA is collaborating with various allied veterinary organizations on the creation of resources and tools to help educate veterinarians about stewardship and to develop stewardship plans for their practices. The AVMA is also enhancing the AVMA website to include a centralized location for antimicrobial resources.

To learn more about antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance, visit avma.org/antimicrobials.

For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippoatavma [dot] org.

About the AVMA

Serving more than 100,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members' unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health.