Health hazard Antibiotics in the animal fattening

In the barn, antibiotics are becoming increasingly dangerous for humans

06/09/2013

The use of antibiotics in animal fattening is becoming increasingly dangerous. This shows a new study of the Tumor Center Aachen on behalf of the Greens. According to the report, 6.4 million Germans now carry germs that can not be combated with most antibiotics. These so-called multidrug-resistant bacteria cause between 10,000 and 30,000 deaths each year „Evening paper Munich“ reported.

Many antibiotics are ineffective against multi-drug resistant bacteria
Antibiotics have long been regarded as a kind of all-purpose weapon in infections. However, ever since they are increasingly used in the animal fattening, more and more pathogens develop resistance to the drugs. So-called multidrug-resistant germs, against which a large number of antibiotics is ineffective, lead to numerous deaths in German intensive care units every year. Because if antibiotics no longer work, the doctors are often powerless. Experts therefore call for a change of course away from mass animal husbandry in agricultural policy.

A study by the Tumor Center Aachen on behalf of the Greens shows that meanwhile 6.4 million Germans carry multi-resistant germs, as the newspaper reports. Anyone can transmit these germs, even if the intake of antibiotics is already some time ago. In healthy people, the pathogens usually cause no serious disease progression. However, if they get into the organism of a weakened immune system such as an ICU patient, the multidrug-resistant microorganisms can cause serious damage and even death to the patient. Typical consequences of infection with these pathogens may include serious surgical wound infections, sepsis and pneumonia.

A special feature of multi-resistant microorganisms is also particularly problematic: Resistance-conferring genes can be used to transfer their resistance to other germs against which antibiotics were previously active.

Excessive antibiotic use in factory farming causes antibiotic resistance
In factory farming, antibiotics are used regularly. Since countless animals are kept crammed together in a confined space in the conventional animal mast, the animals are particularly susceptible to disease. To prevent this and prevent infection of the entire stock, the animals receive precautionary antibiotics. In addition, some antibiotics have a growth-promoting effect that some farmers, albeit unauthorized, should take advantage of. There is also another economic aspect. Veterinarians earn it when they prescribe antibiotics. Consequently, it is obvious that many are not economical with the prescription of these drugs.

Especially for people who have frequent and close contact with affected animals, the multiresistant germs could be dangerous according to the study. Again „MDR“ reports, the Green Party leader Bärbel Höhn a legal regulation, so that „only individual animals may be treated for symptoms. "The politician describes the system of factory farming as „ticking time bomb for human health. "(ag)