IMPRUDENT ANTIBIOTIC USAGE IN POULTRY FARMS ACROSS NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR POULTRY PRODUCTION AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Résumé

Prudent antibiotic usage in poultry boosts productivity and limits emergence and spread of antibioticresistant organisms, especially zoonotic pathogens, transmissible through the food chain. A nation-wide survey to determine the pattern of antibiotic administration in poultry was conducted among 2,402 randomly selected poultry farmers,in12 of the 36 States ofthe federation; using structured questionnaire.Finding showed thatcritically important antimicrobials, belonging to the WHO lists of ‗Highest’ and ‗High’ priority antibiotics, were administered sub-therapeutically; for prophylaxis and growth enhancement purposes. Many diseases that warranted the antimicrobial administration were of viral etiology. Only 64.2% of the farmers administered the drugs based on veterinary doctors‘ prescription while62.3% of them did not observe recommended withdrawal period after the drug administration. Enlightenment of the farmers on the benefits of prudent agricultural use of antimicrobials is imperative; for sustainable poultry production and to curtail development and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistance pathogens.