Antibiotics in Animals: The Human Impact

The FDA has proposed a rule change regarding the use of antibiotics in animal feed and water.  For 35 years the FDA has been working with farmers who raise chickens, pork and beef to limit the use of antibiotics in otherwise healthy animals.  Currently 80% of all antibiotics sold in the United States is used in animal feed and water, almost all for healthy animals.  The rule change would simply require a prescription for the use of antibiotics in animals.

The concern with the excessive use of antibiotics is the development of resistant strains of bacteria that cause disease in humans.  Each year 99,000 humans die from hospital-acquired infections.  In an earlier post I  discussed MRSA one of the most wide spread of the super-bugs.   For more information go to www.fda.gov and  fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/AntimicrobialResistance

by Michael Quinn, Esq.