Public Health Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance in Wildlife at the One Health Interface

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and carbapenem-resistant (CARBA) Enterobacterales is a main global cause of human deaths and a major health burden to domestic animals. AMR circulation in wildlife has also been reported worldwide, but the public health impact and the policy actions that could limit this circulation remain unknown. Here, we summarize the key trends of AMR in wildlife, clarify the use of the term ‘reservoir’ when referring to AMR in wildlife, identify whether national plans to tackle AMR in Latin America and Europe include wildlife, and discuss the public health implications of this circulation. We provide recommendations for AMR surveillance and prevention among wild animals, as well as the key scientific knowledge gaps that are hindering understanding its dynamics. We expect our conclusions to shed light on the necessity and degree of prevention and control regarding AMR in wildlife at the human–animal–environment interface.

Keywords

• antimicrobial resistance
• wild animals
• surveillance
• policy makers
• national plans