Milk and antibiotic resistance

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Extract from the article: Antibiotic resistance is a worrying threat to public health worldwide, just as it is in Togo. The abusive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in livestock farming encourages the development of resistance in pathogens to the treatments administered

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Antibiotic resistance is a worrying threat to public health worldwide, just as it is in Togo.   The abusive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in livestock farming encourages the development of resistance in pathogens to the treatments administered. Antibiotic resistance can be observed in both human and animal health. 

In Togo, although banned, self-medication by farmers of livestock, including dairy cows, to prevent or treat infections is common practice. Unfortunately, this practice contributes to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains in the animals and, if the drug withdrawal period is not respected, can also lead to the presence of drug residues in the milk and its by-products such as wagashi. These residues may be responsible for an increase in infections that are difficult to treat in humans.  

 Raising awareness and necessary action

In order to obtain tangible data that could be used to identify the actions needed in Togo, the NGO Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse, as part of the project « Wagashi sain pour une Optimisation des revenus des Ménages Exploitant le lait local au Nord Togo » (WOMEN), co-funded by ECOWAS and the Swiss Development Cooperation, and implemented in collaboration with the NGO GEVAPAF (Gestion de l'Environnement et Valorisation des Produits Agro Forestiers), carried out an initial study to assess the prevalence of antibiotic residues in cow's milk collected in the prefectures of Oti and Oti-sud in northern Togo.  The results of this study reveal the presence of various antimicrobials in milk.

 To reduce this growing threat, it is vital to take action at various levels. These include raising awareness among dairy farmers of good husbandry practices and the responsible use of antibiotics. But it is also important for consumers to check the provenance of the various dairy products they buy. Public institutions need to step up controls and standards on the production and marketing of dairy products.

In view of the positive results of this study, VSF-Suisse in partnership with DRAEDR-Savanes held a workshop as part of a ‘One Health’ strategy to improve human and animal health in the Savanes Region, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health.

William O.

Contacts for ordering good wagashi from cooperatives in the Savanes Region (Togo)

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