Antibiotic use on farms in East Africa is a serious and widening public health concern. In Mbarara district in western Uganda, a poultry farmer has run a large flock for years without a veterinary visit, reflecting how limited and costly veterinary care can be. Inspections sometimes charge high fees, so smallholders often treat animals themselves to avoid rapid losses. Farmers add medicines to water or feed, use antibiotics preventively, and sometimes give reduced doses or cheaper products.
Public-health bodies warn of large human costs. Africa CDC reports 27.3 deaths per 100,000 from antimicrobial resistance, and the World Health Organization warns that 4.1 million people across Africa could die because of resistance by 2050. Research estimated 5,620 deaths in Uganda in 2021 linked to resistance, with the highest toll among children under five.
Health officials link resistant infections seen in hospitals to farming practices. Wrong dosages, self-prescription and preventive use help resistant bacteria move from animals to humans via eggs, meat and soil. Doctors report patients not responding to common drugs such as penicillin and fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin. Studies in Kenya and Uganda have found E. coli, Salmonella and Acinetobacter with more than 50% resistance to commonly used drugs in some areas.
Experts call for coordinated One Health responses and list practical steps:
- Strengthen veterinary drug oversight and post-market quality checks
- Build integrated surveillance and laboratory capacity for humans, animals and the environment
- Improve community and school education and enforce prescription rules
- Use policy incentives or legislation to reduce routine antibiotic use on farms
Difficult words
- resistance — ability of microbes to survive drug treatmentantimicrobial resistance
- veterinary — relating to animal medical care and doctors
- smallholder — a small-scale farm owner or operatorsmallholders
- surveillance — systematic monitoring of disease or problems
- prescription — a doctor's written order for medical drugs
- incentive — a policy or reward to encourage certain actionsincentives
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Which of the practical steps listed would be most effective in your community, and why?
- How could schools and community programs change farmers' use of antibiotics? Give specific examples.
- What difficulties might authorities face when trying to enforce prescription rules for veterinary drugs?
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