Antimicrobials play a critical role in the treatment of diseases of humans, farmed animals, and plants. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), however, is a growing and complex threat to global public health. It has been a worldwide problem in human and animal healthcare. Asia accounts for more than 87 percent of the world's aquaculture production, and antimicrobials are commonly used in aquaculture for the prevention and control of common aquatic animal diseases. Systematic and regular collection of high quality information on AMR in aquaculture is one of the most critical steps in mitigating AMR in this industry. FAO will conduct a regional training course from 26-30 July, in collaboration with the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and INFOFISH.
 
The course will focus on methodologies relevant to monitoring and surveillance of AMR in major bacterial pathogens of diseased aquatic animals in Asia. AMR monitoring and surveillance in aquaculture is not new in the region but experiences, approaches and capacities of the countries vary. The main objective of the course is to enhance national laboratory capacity for effective surveillance and monitoring of AMR associated with aquaculture in Asia. The specific objectives are:

• To update participants on information on national AMU and AMR surveillance and monitoring.
• To familiarise participants with the regional guidelines on AMR surveillance and monitoring in order to have harmonised schemes of AMR surveillance and monitoring in aquaculture among countries.
• To facilitate collaboration on AMR monitoring and surveillance across the region.

The training will be held via video conference. To register for the training sessions, or to view the training programme, please visit the INFOFISH website.