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One Health is the recognition that the interplay between humans, animals, and the environment can have lasting effects (both good and bad) on the health of everyone. Antimicrobial resistance (AR) is a problem that affects not just the health of people, but also the health of animals and the environment. That is why the U.S. CDC takes a One Health approach to combating AR.
The use of antibiotics and antifungals in agriculture (plants and/or livestock) or in our pets can detrimentally affect human health by leading to AR development in the exposed bacteria and fungi. Even unintended antimicrobial exposure to medications, such as what can occur if improper disposal methods for unused drugs, can lead to resistance developing.
The Maine CDC supports the appropriate use of antimicrobials in the treatment of diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Learning more about these important medicines, and when they should and should not be used, is imperative to fight AR development. It is vital to use antimicrobials only as prescribed for us, our pets, our livestock, and our agriculture.
Dr. Allison Burden
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Bradford