New AMR resources on MPI website

27 February 2024

The Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) antimicrobial resistance (AMR) team has collaborated with the wider industry to develop resources for veterinarians about AMR and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dairy cattle.

The information is now available on the MPI website.

In New Zealand, MRSA is an increasing cause of serious infections in humans. Veterinarians have recently diagnosed MRSA in dairy cattle on a few farms and genetic analysis suggests humans may have been the initial source of infection. A MRSA diagnosis should be based on tests carried out by a laboratory with validated methodology to confirm it.

The resources on the MPI website include advice on:

• managing cattle diagnosed with MRSA
• steps to prevent the introduction of MRSA to the farm
• reducing transmission within a herd
• reducing the risk to people working with dairy cattle
• use for milking, meat, or sale.

Veterinarians can use this fact sheet to help explain MRSA to their clients: Information for farmers on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dairy cows

This information for veterinarians provides a more detailed review of MRSA in dairy cattle: Information for veterinarians on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dairy cows

There is also general AMR for veterinarians who would like a refresher, including resistance mechanisms and definitions, such as multi-drug resistance: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)- Information for veterinarians

Take a look at the MPI AMR page under AMR education and resources, to find out more about antimicrobial resistance. If you would like more information about MRSA or AMR, or you have a MRSA case study that you would like to share, please contact the AMR team at [email protected]