One Health in the Argan Forest

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a growing threat to human, animal and environmental health that requires a holistic One Health approach. Named the “silent  pandemic”, it is anticipated that up to 10 million people could die every year from it in 2050. Antimicrobials have been essential in reducing the burden of infectious disease in humans, animals and plants for decades. However, their effectiveness is now in jeopardyas several antibiotic, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal treatments no longer work because of antimicrobial resistance or AMR. The increased use of antimicrobials creates favorable conditions for microorganisms to develop resistance in humans, animals and the environment. Bacteria in soil, water and air for example can acquire resistance following contact with resistant microorganisms.

With our sister organization One Health Maroc and the World Health Organization (WHO), we have started an awareness campaign to educate the public, farmers and professionals about the need for a more prudent use of antibiotics in human healthcare, veterinary care and agriculture, as well as the consequences of AMR. By engaging healthcare professionals and veterinarians as well as farmers and the public, we foster inter-disciplinary collaboration and encourage the use of best practices to prevent infections in healthcare settings and livestock production systems. 

Our campaign is deployed on social medias as well as in markets to empower individuals to make informed decisions and adopt behaviors that mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens. By promoting the judicious use of antimicrobials, proper hygiene and other disease prevention methods such as vaccination, this awareness campaign will contribute to the adoption of best practices in order to reduce the risks of antimicrobial resistance.