Rising antimicrobial resistance has been detected in livestock due to improper antibiotic use on farms, but authorities say animal-based food products remain safe for consumption. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Rising antibiotic resistance has been detected in livestock due to improper use of antimicrobial drugs at farms, says the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
The department said samples of bacteria taken from livestock, including poultry, pigs, and dairy cattle showed increasing resistance to certain types of antibiotics over the past few years.
The department assured that animal-based products are safe to consume (see related story) but said measures are needed across the entire food chain to deal with the problem.
It said rising Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in livestock is mainly due to the improper use of antibiotics among farmers.
This includes administering the wrong dosage, extending treatment beyond recommended periods, or using unsuitable types of antibiotics that do not align with regulations and guidelines.
“High usage of antibiotics for preventive (prophylactic) and growth promoter purposes, as well as poor farm biosecurity, also contributes to the issue,” it said.
The department voiced concern over the ease of obtaining antibiotics without prescriptions, including through online platforms.
This, it said, has enabled uncontrolled and excessive use in the livestock sector.
The DVS said that from 2022 to 2024, samples of the Salmonella and E. coli bacteria isolated from broilers, pigs and dairy cattle showed increasing resistance to several commonly used antibiotics, including cefotaxime and ceftiofur which are the third generation of cephalosporin.
“This trend is worrying because these antibiotics are often used for treating serious infections in humans like sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis,” the DVS said.
The department said it found no significant difference in resistance rates across the country in its surveillance programme.
“This indicates the issue is consistent nationwide.
“Our surveillance efforts will continue to track changes over time to ensure early detection of any emerging concerns,” it said.
The department said it was actively monitoring the trend through the Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (MyAP-AMR).
Last year alone, the DVS isolated 276 Salmonella spp. and 1,104 E. coli samples from farms, slaughterhouses, and processing plants nationwide for testing.
Drug-resistant bacteria in livestock could spread to people through several ways, for example via improperly cooked meat that has been contaminated.
They can also enter the environment when animals shed the antibiotic-resistant bacteria or their resistance genes through manure and waste.
If such bacteria from livestock enters a human body, it could make the person more resistant to antibiotics.
The department said a range of measures must be taken to prevent the transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from animals to humans.
At the farm level, antibiotics should only be used responsibly and not for growth promotion or preventive purposes.
“Farmers are required to observe withdrawal periods after treatment before animals are slaughtered.
“Maintain farm hygiene, implement biosecurity measures, vaccinate livestock and ensure high-quality feed.”
Over the years, the department has introduced various measures to tackle livestock antibiotic-resistance.
They include the Feed Act 2009, which regulates the import, sale and use of animal feed containing antimicrobials.
Since 2012, farmers have been banned from using antibiotics designated by the World Health Organization as critically-important antimicrobials for human medicine.
The department said slaughterhouses are required to adhere to strict hygiene standards to prevent cross-contamination during processing to further reduce potential risk.
The DVS promotes good farm management practices through the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (MyGAP) and the Veterinary Health Mark (VHM) certification schemes for livestock farms and processing plants.
The MyGAP and VHM emphasises hygiene, biosecurity, and disease prevention instead of antibiotic dependence.
“We encourage farmers to adopt vaccination, regular disease monitoring and strong biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance at the farm level.”
