Antibiotic use in the commercial poultry sector of Uganda and its public health implications: a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Rising poultry demand is driving shifts towards intensive farming in the Global South, raising concerns about antibiotic use and food chain risks. This study examines the nature and extent of antibiotic use in Uganda's commercial poultry sector and quantifies antibiotic use at bird, farm and national levels. Further, the study estimates antibiotic residues in broiler, layer and duo-purpose poultry meat at slaughter to evaluate food chain risks.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey used the World Organisation for Animal Health standards for monitoring quantities of antimicrobial agents used in food-producing animals, on 374 commercial poultry farms with 187 798 birds randomly selected from the Northern, West Nile, Eastern and Southwestern subregions of Uganda.

SUBMITTER: Mugezi I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12458818 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature