On the need for expanding sustainability frameworks and veterinary vision in developing countries
A4NH / Agri-Health / AHH / AMR / Animal Diseases / Bangladesh / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / Epidemiology / ILRI / Intensification / Middle East / North Africa / Policy / Pro-Poor Livestock / Research / Science paper / South Africa / South Asia / Southern Africa / Spotlight

On the need for expanding sustainability frameworks and veterinary vision in developing countries

A new science paper argues for broadening traditional approaches to livestock sustainability and veterinary vision in developing countries. Two of the three livestock science authors—Brian Perry and Tim Robinson—have formerly worked at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) while the third—Delia Grace—co-leads ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program. Continue reading

Imposing user fees on veterinary antimicrobials is a plausible way to curb antimicrobial use in food animals
A4NH / Agri-Health / AHH / AMR / FSZ / Human Health / ILRI / Policy / Pro-Poor Livestock / Science paper / Spotlight

Imposing user fees on veterinary antimicrobials is a plausible way to curb antimicrobial use in food animals

New research findings suggest that imposing a user fee on veterinary antimicrobials is a plausible policy option to achieve meaningful reductions in antimicrobial use in the short term while simultaneously raising funds to improve farming practices that will benefit the long-term viability of the livestock industry. Continue reading

Confronting the rising threat of antibiotic resistance in livestock
A4NH / Agri-Health / AHH / AMR / ILRI / Opinion Piece / Policy / Pro-Poor Livestock / SLS / Spotlight

Confronting the rising threat of antibiotic resistance in livestock

The article, originally published on Cambridge Core blog, was written by Tim Robinson of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Resistance to antimicrobials is developing faster than ever before due to decades of abusing these important drugs. A ‘post-antibiotic’ world looms as a result, the consequences of which would be many people and farm animals sickening and dying of what, until now, have been preventable or treatable infections. Continue reading

Apocalyptic numbers: Antibiotic resistance as the classic ‘One Health’ (and classic ‘One World’) planetary issue
A4NH / Agri-Health / AMR / Article / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / Event / FSZ / Human Health / ILRI / Opinion Piece / Policy / Pro-Poor Livestock / SLS / Spotlight / UK

Apocalyptic numbers: Antibiotic resistance as the classic ‘One Health’ (and classic ‘One World’) planetary issue

In the lead up to the High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance to be held in the margins of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, attended by heads of state and government at the UN’s New York City headquarters on 21 Sep 2016, scientists from ILRI and partner organizations have published a must-read article on the ‘One Health’ as well as ‘One World’ aspects of the rapid rise of antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic organisms. Continue reading

Limiting use of antibiotics in livestock production to stem growing antimicrobial resistance in human pathogens
A4NH / Agri-Health / AMR / Article / CCAFS / Consumption / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / Human Health / HUMIDTROPICS / ILRI / Opinion Piece / Policy / SLS / Spotlight / Zoonotic Diseases

Limiting use of antibiotics in livestock production to stem growing antimicrobial resistance in human pathogens

A commentary published in The Lancet last month supporting a series of five papers on antimicrobials recommends prohibiting use of antibiotics critically important for human medicine to promote the growth of livestock or to prevent routine livestock disease. The commentary was written by Tim Robinson, a principal scientist in spatial analysis at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and colleagues in partner organizations. Continue reading

First global map of the rising use of antimicrobial drugs in farm animals published in PNAS
A4NH / Agri-Health / Article / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / Food Safety / FSZ / Geodata / Human Health / ILRI / Intensification / Spotlight

First global map of the rising use of antimicrobial drugs in farm animals published in PNAS

As reported last week in a scientific paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), Global trends in antimicrobial use in food animals, worldwide antimicrobial consumption is expected to rise by a staggering 67% between 2010 and 2030. Continue reading

New map: Benefits of controlling trypanosomosis in the Horn of Africa
Agriculture / Books and Chapters / Cattle / Disease Control / East Africa / Ethiopia / Geodata / ILRI / ILRIComms / Kenya / Knowledge and Information / SLS / Somalia / South Sudan / Spotlight / Sudan / Trypanosomiasis / Zoonotic Diseases

New map: Benefits of controlling trypanosomosis in the Horn of Africa

Using the Horn of Africa as an example, the maps illustrate different steps in a methodology developed to estimate and map the economic benefits to livestock keepers of controlling a disease (Shaw et al. 2014). Cattle are first assigned to different production systems as shown in Map 1, illustrating for example, where mixed farming is heavily dependent on the use of draft oxen in Ethiopia, areas of Sudan and South Sudan where oxen use is much lower, and the strictly pastoral areas of Somalia and Kenya. Continue reading

New map: Ruminant livestock distribution in Africa
Africa / Agriculture / Books and Chapters / Geodata / ILRI / ILRIComms / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / Livestock Systems / SLS / Spotlight

New map: Ruminant livestock distribution in Africa

Ruminant livestock are raised across large parts of Africa where environmental conditions allow. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the most widespread, while camels are restricted to drier areas, particularly in the Horn of Africa and the arid parts of western Africa. These maps of ruminant dis­tribution should, however, be used in conjunction with the livestock production systems map to better under­stand the systems and climate zones where ruminant live­stock are found. The role of livestock varies greatly depending on the production system. Continue reading

Deadly strain of bird flu in China linked to live poultry markets; high-risk spots in Asia mapped–New study
A4NH / Agri-Health / Article / Asia / Bangladesh / Bird flu / CCAFS / China / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / Epidemiology / Geodata / Human Health / HUMIDTROPICS / ILRI / India / Indonesia / Philippines / Poultry / SLS / Spotlight / Vietnam / Zoonotic Diseases

Deadly strain of bird flu in China linked to live poultry markets; high-risk spots in Asia mapped–New study

A new study reveals conditions linked to the emergence and spread of deadly bird flu and maps the areas of Asia at greatest risk of the spread of the new virus strain. A dangerous strain of avian influenza, H7N9, that’s causing severe illness and deaths in China may be inhabiting a small fraction of its potential range and appears at risk of spreading to other suitable areas of India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, according to a new study published today in the journal Nature Communications. Continue reading

New maps for navigating a sea of changes in livestock production
A4NH / Article / CCAFS / Geodata / HUMIDTROPICS / ILRI / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / Livestock Systems / SLS / Spotlight

New maps for navigating a sea of changes in livestock production

A collaborative effort by some of the world’s leading agriculture experts has produced a new set of maps published today in the journal PLoS ONE that provides the most detailed rendition ever produced of the billions of cattle, pigs, poultry and other livestock living in the world today. Continue reading