FCS addresses bacterial resistance to antibiotics

David Viera 

The discovery of the first antibiotic in the mid-XNUMXth century was a turning point in modern medicine. However, the development of bacteria resistant to this type of medicine presents one of the biggest problems for public health because it reduces or cancels its health effect. Given this situation, the issue must be approached from a single perspective or “One Health”, a concept that proposes that human health and animal health are interdependent and linked to the ecosystems and environment in which they coexist. 

This problem has been the line of argument of this event coordinated by Yolanda Varcárcel, main researcher of the group. RiSAMA (Chemical Risks for Public Health and the Environment), who assures that the management of the event "has been complicated, having to coordinate the Communication section, with the IT section and the Campus management." 

“I wanted to get the message across that the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the main causes of this problem in which we are all part,” says Varcárcel, commenting that the research group she leads has taken the initiative to carry out dissemination and awareness actions in this month “which is celebrating the world week of the fight against antimicrobial resistance, specifically from November 18 to the 24th of the same month.” The researcher explains the importance of working on dissemination in a coordinated manner so that “the message really gets through that the Environment, Animal and Human Health are closely linked.” 

Expectations were high, with many people signing up remotely and few in person, due to classes, but finally the event could be held completely normally and with the added bonus of being able to record it on video for use by students and teachers. “I am satisfied with the result, because the speakers, the moderator and the co-director, Judit Kalman, helped me a lot to make everything go well and move forward,” concludes Yolanda Valcárcel.