South East Asian nations unite to combat AMR in animals

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The threat of mortality, morbidity, and economic loss associated with AMR poses a significant burden on countries in the South East Asia region.

Strengthening regional and global efforts against the major global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) leads to data-driven policies and practices that promote responsible antimicrobial use (AMU). Such efforts will preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments for the health and welfare of domestic animals and the interconnected health of the public and the environment.

The Fleming Fund Regional Grant, Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health in South East Asia (AMROH SEA) ─ led by the Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health at the University of Melbourne ─ provides support in tackling AMR in animal health (terrestrial and aquatic), environmental health, One Health governance, and practitioner engagement in the region.

The recent workshop ─ ‘Using Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Knowledge to Drive Optimal Decision-Making Across South East Asia’─ was held in Bali, Indonesia. With 70 participants, including 57 clinicians and professionals from Lao PDR, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, they represented government, the private sector, universities, grantees, and national veterinary associations. Nine technical experts facilitated the workshop across specialisms such as veterinary epidemiology, microbiology, pathogen genomics, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), cattle, poultry, swine, aquatic animal health, and policymaking.

Participants learnt to effectively use AMR and AMU surveillance data to inform the design, planning, implementation, and evaluation of AMS policies and practices in different animal health sectors. A key focus was producing antimicrobial treatment guidelines for poultry, pigs, cattle, and fish, building capacity to enhance responsible AMU farming practices and developing appropriate government policies.

This event built upon the success of the first AMROH SEA regional workshop on ‘Enhancing Surveillance of AMU and AMR in Animal and Environmental Health Across South East Asia, fostering networking and collaboration between animal health professionals in SEA. Participants learnt from peer experience and knowledge, and how to apply it to future endeavours – in particular, exploring treatment guidelines in other countries and how they could progress similarly in theirs.

Dr Annisa Devi Rachmawati from the Centre for Indonesian Veterinary Analytical Studies in Indonesia who attended the workshop, said it: “explored the critical role of AMU and AMR data in shaping policies and guiding treatment decisions and emphasised the importance of developing treatment guidelines for different animal health sectors, highlighting the challenges and significance of implementing tailored AMS programmes.

"One of the most rewarding aspects was connecting with regional colleagues to discuss AMU, AMR, and AMS challenges. It was truly inspiring to share knowledge, gain fresh perspectives, and work towards a common goal: promoting the prudent use of antimicrobials and slowing the emergence of AMR.”

Professor Stan Fenwick, the Fleming Fund Technical Lead for One Health and Animal Health at Mott MacDonald, said: “The community of practice that AMROH has built in SEA around shared experiences to mitigate the risk of AMR development in animals has been highly successful. Participants at the workshop were actively engaged in discussions, enthusiastic and reciprocal; these connections will strengthen the region’s combined ability to respond to the AMR pandemic that recognises no borders.”

Glenn Browning, Programme Lead of AMROH SEA and Director of Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health at the University of Melbourne, added: “The global efforts stimulated by the Fleming Fund to increase antimicrobial resistance surveillance have improved our understanding of the problem we are facing, which is threatening the future of human and animal health.

“The next step will be to develop sustainable solutions to reduce and eventually eliminate the unnecessary use of antimicrobials. A key aim of our AMROH programme is to turn the data we are now generating into action, by influencing policy development and providing better guidance to animal health practitioners about antimicrobial use.”