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CONCLUSIONS

Investigation of antibiotic resistance in Australian wildlife has increased over recent years; however, important infor­mation integral to combating resistance in a One Health framework (Radhouani et al.

2014) is lacking. For exam­ple, the wildlife health effects arising from colonisation by resistant bacteria and the ecological interactions between the resistant bacteria and the endemic microbial commu­nity of wildlife are unknown. Further, the role of wildlife in the transmission of resistant bacteria between host spe­cies and as environmental reservoirs is yet to be deter­mined. The potential for bacteria to acquire new virulence traits in wildlife hosts, leading to emerging threats, is also unknown. Further, the increasing establishment of resist­ant pathogens that have zoonotic potential is significant for the health of veterinary practitioners, wildlife carers, researchers and conservation managers. The direction of transmission is also a key consideration for people who have close contact with wildlife and greater consideration of best practice and biosecurity measures (see the National Wildlife Health Biosecurity Guidelines) to reduce the risk of direct transmission of pathogens from people to wild­life. As Australia embodies One Health in its fight against antibiotic resistance, data from wildlife will be essential for tackling this global health threat. Veterinarians should prescribe and use antibiotics responsibly and provide stewardship in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank Dr Koa Webster for proof reading and suggestions and Wildlife Health Australia for facilitating provision of data from eWHIS. Wildlife health data in eWHIS were provided by Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Taronga Zoo Wildlife Hospital and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

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Source: Vogelnest L., Portas T. (Eds.). Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals. CSIRO,2025. — 848 p.. 2025

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