World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021

 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been highlighted during the global World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. AMR occurs when some microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites that cause infections resist the effects of the medicines used to treat them. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is a major factor in increasing the rate at which AMR is occurring.

 

Not all sick people and animals will need antimicrobial treatment. Antimicrobials only work against certain types of infections and should only be used when recommended by human health professionals or veterinarians. Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Mark Schipp recently released a statementpodcast and video about AMR. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has also released a digital toolkit for use by veterinary clinics, which includes infographics, posters and social media tiles to help raise awareness about AMR. Read more

 

Carbon calculator for veterinary practices

 

UK-based social enterprise Vet Sustain are currently working on a collaborative project, to develop a novel carbon calculator bespoke to UK veterinary practices. Originally developed by Investors in the Environment, the calculator will be accessible via the Vet Sustain website and would provide veterinary practice teams with the ability to compute their carbon emissions, using data entry from utility records.

 

Vet Sustain is working to enable and inspire veterinary professionals to continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment. According to a report on the BSAVA website, “In the face of mounting environmental concern, and pressing government and corporate targets for reducing carbon emissions, veterinary practitioners working at the human-animal-environment interface have the desire and the responsibility to take action. This action starts with understanding our current carbon footprints; although numerous carbon calculators are available for household and personal use, none are available that are tailored to the specific impacts of veterinary practice.” Read more

 

Wildlife Health Australia expands social media presence

 

Wildlife Health Australia (WHA), the peak coordinating body for wildlife health in Australia, has expanded its presence on social media, and is welcoming all members of the veterinary profession and others to follow, like and share their social media channels to help spread the word about wildlife health. You can follow WHA on Twitter (@healthywildlife) and on LinkedIn.

 

WHA is also encouraging all those interested in wildlife, to become a member of WHA, which provides the opportunity to join a network of stakeholders with an interest in wildlife health. WHA aims to link, inform and support people and organisations who work with or have an interest in wildlife health across Australia through technical advice, facilitation, communications and professional support. Read more