Vol. 9, Special Issue 3 (2024)

Increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in the animal health sector in Africa is an issue of great importance to African countries. To understand current trends in antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use in the animal health sector in Africa, a review of the latest update was conducted. The review spanned the period 2013 to 2023, covering antimicrobial resistance and associated factors; common practices of antimicrobial use or misuse; antimicrobial testing approaches; measures for delaying emergence of antimicrobials resistance; “One health” approaches for effective management and control of antimicrobial resistance; and “One health” platform. The review outlines the rising antimicrobial resistance, due to irrational use of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine and non-compliance with withdrawal periods. The use of antimicrobials without prescription was reported as an important risk factor for the emergence and spread of AMR. Despite diagnostic advances which have contributed to enhancing AMR detection, the lack of standardized testing protocols causes variation in the detected and reported level of AMR between different countries. Challenges persist in integrating AMR surveillance and regulatory enforcement, emphasizing the need for implementation of a “One Health” approach. In addition, the review presents the state of development of AMR National Action Plans. In addition, it presents stewardship programs implementing animal husbandry and bio-security measures intended to diminish the need for antimicrobials. In 2022, a total of 60% (28/47) of African countries undertook monitoring of consumption of antimicrobials in animals. However, this declined to 53% (26/49) of African countries by 2023. Furthermore, only 14% (7/49) African countries undertook routine surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacterial infections in animals in 2022, while only 16% (8/49) of the African countries did the same in 2023. Only 9% (4/47) of the African countries in 2022 and 15% (7/48) in 2023 undertook surveillance on antimicrobial resistance to identify pathogenic or commensal bacterial species in animals. Such countries were able to systematically collect and disseminate data on antimicrobial resistance from reference laboratories.

In 2022, only 6% (3/47) of African countries had national AMR surveillance systems established. A similar proportion (6%-3/48) was reported in 2023. Only 2% (1/47) of African countries published data on bio-security and good animal husbandry practices in 2022, while only 4% (2/49) did the same in 2023.