Antibiotic resistance: AMR among poultry, cattle a worry for Kenya

Experts have raised concerns over the misuse of antibiotics in Kenya, but the African country lacks data on the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The collective overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals is accelerating AMR in Kenya, said Allan Azegele, deputy director of veterinary services Kenya’s Directorate of Veterinary Services.

He cited the example of mastitis in cows — an inflammation of the udder, driven by poor animal husbandry: If housing areas are not cleaned well of animal droppings, micro-organisms end up in the udder of the animal leading to mastitis.

It also depends on the management of the animal’s udder and how milking is handled. Mastitis constitute about 30-40 per cent cases reported to the veterinary department.