Scientific publications
Germain Kansci
Gabriel Medoua Nama
Fabrice De Paul Tatfo Keutchatang* (Corresponding author)
Veterinary medicine and science
There is reasonable doubt about the accuracy of veterinary drug use in Cameroon poultry production. To enable better use of antimicrobials, it is important to recognize patterns of prescribing behavior, such as which antimicrobials are being prescribed for which diseases. Therefore, smallholder poultry farmers from Cameroon were interviewed regarding their use of antimicrobials. In addition, poultry feed samples from the same poultry farms were screened for the detection of antimicrobials. Tissues (muscle, liver, and gizzard) from 45-day-old broilers and fresh eggs from layers were sampled and analyzed for antimicrobials. Antimicrobials were detected in poultry feed above the maximum limit for residues as well as in broiler tissues and layer eggs. The results of the interviews showed that there are shortcomings in the implementation of biosecurity measures by farmers, as well as poor use of antimicrobials, resulting in the occurrence of diseases on farms and the presence of antimicrobials in poultry feed, tissues, and eggs. Such results constitute a significant and unacceptable deviation from the dynamics of poultry production. To apply the One Health perspective to the poultry production industry in Cameroon, the current veterinary drug use practices and biosecurity measures must be revised, properly applied, and monitored for consistent use.
