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[Jun. 23rd, 2024|01:47 pm] |
"A new report has shed light on the relationship between antibiotic-resistant bacteria, superbugs, and animal farming, particularly on factory farms. The report, published by World Animal Protection, has revealed that UK rivers and waterways are “awash with superbugs.”
Specifically, waterways adjacent to factory farms and “high welfare” outdoor farms were found to contain antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, both of which can cause serious health complications in humans.
The overprescription of antibiotics in medical settings since the drugs were first introduced has led to a sharp uptick in resistant bacteria. Animal agriculture’s misuse of such medications has further exacerbated the issue.
Superbugs are strains of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are resistant to most widely used antibiotics. This can lead to more severe cases of potentially preventable illnesses, as well as infections that cannot be treated with medication.
Examples include drug-resistant salmonella, campylobacter, tuberculosis, and gonorrhea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says antimicrobial resistance is an “urgent global public health threat.”" |
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