For many years, the problem of resistance to antibiotics by various bacteria has been occurring and has not stopped increasing. Several initiatives have been taken to control this problem. In Europe, laws were created to stop companies from abusing these drugs, since over time more and more cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are appearing.
Today we can find several multiresistant bacteria (to several types of antibiotics) and pan-resistant (to all antibiotics) to these drugs. What is serious is that these organisms inhabit the bodies of animals that are destined to be killed in slaughterhouses.
Those directly responsible for this are the meat industries, which use these tools indiscriminately. They justify their use in an irresponsible manner, without making significant changes in the way they keep the animals, since by keeping them in very closed spaces, full of wounds, the animals are more prone to getting sick.
If this continues, there will soon be a major health crisis due to this problem, about ten million people could die before 2050 because of this resistance. Because of zoonosis, these bacteria pass very easily into human organisms. Especially if they consume meat contaminated with these microorganisms.
There is a specific concern about resistance to colistin, a new generation drug. It is used for infections that are very advanced, so if a person receives this antibiotic but has the misfortune of having these resistant bacteria in his body, his life is going to be in serious danger.
There are two very important types of transmitters at the moment, which are pork and poultry. It is well known that these animals are kept in deplorable conditions, sunk in their own waste. No wonder they are more prone to infection and disease.
Many companies have pledged to avoid overusing these drugs, but all they propose are welfare solutions that are not easy to fulfill in the real world. If animals continue to be abused in this way, there will be no way to avoid the crisis that lies ahead.
Antibiotics are used for the welfare of animals and the humans who eat their meat. They are also used to prevent disease. But this goes against nature, it is forcing microorganisms to continue to evolve, while people live under the illusion that they are consuming products that are good for them.
Many companies use these drugs to promote the growth of animals; it has been illegal in Europe for a long time, but not in many regions of the world. This is why the problem is still valid, because it is useless to implement rules in only a small part of the planet while the rest of the world continues to abuse antibiotics and animals.
It is estimated that 75% of the bacteria that affect humans come from animals. As well as 60% of the diseases. As mentioned before, this is caused by zoonosis, which is the transmission of diseases and bacteria between species. It is causing great havoc in world health and is suspected to be the cause of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Thanks to this situation, proposals have arisen such as One Health, whose focus is to have a global health in which the environment, animals and humans are related. This initiative was born in the year 2000 and its premise is that the care of each of the aspects mentioned is imperative for the world to have a better health, if we do not take care of animals and the environment, we will feel the consequences.
However, it is of great concern that antibiotics used in veterinary medicine, especially for livestock, are reserved for the most serious cases of human health.
Although these initiatives and attempts at regulation have good intentions, the reality is different, as no serious progress has been made in any research, nor are there any international regulations to improve this problem.
If possible, the most important thing is to cancel consumption immediately.
Sources
Hacia un uso más prudente y responsable de los antibióticos en ganadería (theconversation.com)
¿Cómo nos afecta el uso de antibióticos en la ganadería? | Alianza Alimentaria
El abuso de antibióticos en ganadería amenaza nuestra salud (lavanguardia.com)
