Hanoi, Viet Nam. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a multidimensional threat to the achievement of the global sustainable development goals. Drug-resistant bacteria can circulate in human beings and animals, through food, water and the environment. Understanding the extent of AMR in livestock production and aquaculture is an important basis for driving actions and is crucial to measure impacts of initiatives made in addressing this problem.

The Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Viet Nam collaborated with the Department of Animal Health (DAH) to organize the workshop on “Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock and food production systems in Viet Nam” on 13 April 2018. The workshop aimed to share the preliminary results of a pilot AMR surveillance conducted by DAH late 2017 and develop a national AMR surveillance programme. The pilot surveillance, implemented with FAO technical assistance, determined susceptibility level of E.coli and non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS) isolated from chicken and pig samples collected at slaughter points to 20 antimicrobial agents. The results revealed that there was high level of resistance to agents commonly used in chicken and pig production (Tetracycline, Sulphamethoxazole, Trimethoprim) but low level of resistance to drugs commonly used in human (Ceftiofur, Cefotaxime, Ceftaxidime); resistance to WHO-recommended important agents (penicillin, aminoglycoside and quinolone) were observed in both chickens and pigs and a higher proportion of resistant E.coli and NTS observed in chicken compared to pigs.

Based on the surveillance findings and experience shared by AMR experts from the public health sector, the participants discussed ways forward to develop a national AMR surveillance programme for the agriculture sector including sampling plan, laboratory capacity development and antimicrobial usage management program at provincial level.

“For the last two years, FAO ECTAD Viet Nam has supported DAH to build up the country AMR surveillance capacity and capability; this pilot surveillance is a basis for a national AMR surveillance progamme, for development and implementation of evidence-based antimicrobial use management and AMR control policies. We will continue to advocate animal producers and relevant stakeholders in adopting good practices in animal husbandry and use antibiotics responsibly to reduce the risk of AMR development and spread” stated by Pawin Padungtod, ECTAD Senior Technical Coordinator.

The AMR surveillance activities are funded by the United States Agency for International Development under the regional project “Addressing Antimicrobial Usage in Asia’s Livestock Production Industry” that Viet Nam is one of the participating countries.