Food Safety Agency raises alarm regarding antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical concern in Azerbaijan, said Balarahim Guliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA), during a symposium titled "One Health Uncovered: Preparing for COP29 with Intersectoral Insights", Report informs.

Guliyev revealed a startling statistic: scientists estimate that there are approximately 1.7 million undiscovered viruses in animals, with nearly half potentially capable of infecting humans.

The One Health concept, as explained by Guliyev, mobilizes various sectors of society to work together:

“Recently, resistance to antimicrobial drugs, which is an urgent issue in the world, including in Azerbaijan, is a problem of particular concern.”

He emphasized that the uncontrolled and irrational use of antibiotics has a significant impact on both animal and human health, potentially leading to undesirable consequences.

“Of particular concern is the presence of antibiotic residues in food products. These residues can cause allergic and toxic reactions in humans and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens,” the deputy chairman noted.

Guliyev warned that this can lead to serious problems for human health and even result in deaths

"The misuse of antimicrobial preparations in animal health and food production has far-reaching consequences. Antimicrobial resistance manifests itself at all stages of the food chain, creating serious problems in protecting human health," he added.

Guliyev concluded by stressing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. He advocated for a unified approach, stating that "problems in these areas should not be addressed separately, but through a joint approach, recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health."