Animal Husbandry department to create awareness on antimicrobial resistance

The Animal Husbandry department will conduct classes for farmers, livestock inspectors and other department staff, and pharmacy students on antimicrobial resistance as part of World AMR Awareness Week.

World AMR Awareness Week is an annual campaign organised from November 18 to 24 to raise awareness of the health threats posed by AMR (antimicrobial resistance) among the public. The theme for this year’s observance is ‘One health, one action: Prevent AMR now.’

A number of programmes will be held as part of the Kerala antimicrobial awareness initiative under the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan (KARSAP) during the week.

Organised under the Animal Husbandry department’s State Institute for Animal Diseases, the classes will focus on responsible use of antibiotics, ill-effects of use of unnecessary medicines, disease prevention, and AMR control in the animal husbandry sector.

According to World Health Organisation, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites do not respond to antimicrobial medicines. As a result, infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.

Antibiotic use only on doctors’ advice, avoiding self-medication, avoiding antibiotics’ administration to animals except on veterinarians’ prescription, and following the recommended medicine dosage and duration are critical to tackling AMR, a statement here said.

Published - November 14, 2026 07:42 pm IST