𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐌𝐑 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞

The National Center for Animal Health (NCAH), under the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, is conducting a five-day workshop (18–22 of November 2024) at Punakha Boutique Hotel, Punakha. The workshop aims to develop a comprehensive AMR surveillance plan for mastitis in dairy cattle in Bhutan and is part of the ongoing Fleming Fund Country Grant  phase II.

The participants includes representatives from various agencies under the Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division, DoL; National Center for Animal Health, Serbithang; National Dairy Development Center,Yusipang; Regional Livestock Development Center, Kanglung; Regional Veterinary Hospital and Epidemiology CenterPhuntsholing; Dzongkhag Veterinary Hospital, Paro; Fleming Fellows, and technical experts from AMROH, the Regional Grant Coordinator of the Fleming Fund.

Mastitis is a major health concern in dairy cattle, leading to significant economic losses to the dairy farmers. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics in mastitis treatment contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing risks to animal health, food safety, and public health.

Therefore, through this workshop, a concrete surveillance plan for mastitis is being developed to identify key mastitis causing organisms and their antimicrobial profiles which will help in effective treatment in the field minimizing the AMR.

Key Objectives of the Workshop:

1. Develop an AMR surveillance plan for mastitis.
2. Identify priority pathogens associated with mastitis, such as Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., and Escherichia coli.
3. Standardize sampling and diagnostic methods, including bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST).

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