Farmer health conference tackles antibiotic resistance

American Professor Kelley J. Donham will give a current risk assessment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA and management tips during the conference in the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre from October 11-13.

National Centre for Farmer Health director clinical associate professor Sue Brumby said MRSA was well-recognised as a hospital-acquired infection but had recently been detected in livestock, including in cattle and poultry, in Europe and Asia.

Professor Brumby said the conference would also cover Q Fever, equine influenza, leptospirosis, cross staph infections and needle stick injuries.

Professor Donham and Hamilton livestock veterinarian Dr David Rendell have both written review papers on farmer needle stick injuries, including on the risks of injury while vaccinating sheep for Ovine Johne’s disease.

“Giving injections is part of livestock farming but needle stick injuries from livestock injections are very common, with more than 80 per cent of farmers and vets reporting a needle stick incident in the previous year,” Professor Brumby said.

Victorian Department of Primary Industries principal veterinary officer Dr David Champness will speak on zoonotic diseases such as Q Fever and leptospirosis at the conference.

Professor Brumby said many livestock diseases impact on livestock health as well as the farming business’ financial returns, boosting farmer anxiety and stress levels.

“The NCFH conference will deliver grass-roots health, well-being and safety education, areas which are going to become more, not less, important in the years ahead as the pressure to boost production increases

“Knowing what to look for will be a valuable tool for all farmers, researchers and service providers,” she said.

Further details on the conference are available from www.farmerhealth.org.au or by contacting Sally Stevenson on (03) 5551 8533.