Diseases Driving Antimicrobial Use in Commercial Poultry Production Systems in Rwanda A Breed Comparison

Abstract

The poultry industry in Rwanda faces significant disease challenges, leading to widespread antimicrobial use (AMU) without sufficient surveillance systems to monitor antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The lack of systematic data on poultry diseases driving AMU hinders evidence-based interventions to optimize antimicrobial usage and mitigate AMR risks. This study was to provide empirical evidence of the poultry diseases driving AMU in commercial poultry production systems in Rwanda, based on one-year recall data obtained from veterinary practitioners (VPs) records. Data collection was conducted in a cross-sectional study design from 98 active VPs nationwide over a three-month study period from October to December 2024. Surveys were administered via Google Forms, which were linked to the platform's spreadsheet feature, enabling seamless export of responses into Microsoft Excel for analysis. VPs in Rwanda reported widespread poultry diseases, with infectious bronchitis (45.8%), colibacillosis (43.3%), and Marek’s disease (36.0%) being the most prevalent. Prevalence of bacterial infections, including avian salmonellosis (15.7%) and fowl cholera (6.6%), remains a major concern, whereas Newcastle disease (27.7%) and Gumboro disease (1.2%) were identified as transboundary threats. Various antimicrobials were used to treat primary bacterial infections, as well as secondary bacterial infections associated with viral diseases, mycoses, and parasitic diseases.  The use of therapeutic antimicrobials was strongly linked to the high rates of bacterial diseases such as colibacillosis and salmonellosis. Meanwhile, preventive treatments with anthelmintics were associated with parasitic infections like coccidiosis and helminthiasis. A variety of antimicrobials were used to treat primary bacterial infections and to address secondary complications from viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases. Rational antimicrobial use was evident, with 85.7% of the drugs demanded critically important for veterinary use. Sulfonamides (19.1%) and tetracyclines (15.7%) were the most commonly used for bacterial infections, while anthelmintics (25.8%) were primarily used for prevention. The study highlights a strong dependence on antimicrobials in Rwanda’s poultry industry, largely due to high disease rates. This situation raises important concerns about antimicrobial resistance and the sustainability of the sector. To tackle these issues, it is essential to enhance disease surveillance, improve biosecurity measures, establish clear protocols for antimicrobial use, and provide training for farmers to protect food security and public health.