Some 5.2 million chickens were treated with ‘last-resort’ antibiotics in 2020 alone, write the SonntagsZeitung and Le Matin Dimanche newspapers.
The medicines, which are only used in humans when no other treatment has had an effect, are also supposed to be prescribed only exceptionally in animals, since overuse could lead to new forms of antibacterial resistance.
Their usage in previous years is meanwhile difficult to estimate, write the newspapers, since veterinarians who prescribe the medicines to farmers have only been obliged to report such cases since October 2019.
High level of resistance
Common drugs prescribed on Swiss farms reportedly include Fluoroquinolones, which in human cases are used to treat urinary infections. However, according to the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Swiss chicken flocks display a “high level” of resistance to this class of antibiotics.
To avoid the possible transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms from chickens to humans, infectious disease specialist Andreas Widmer recommends to “cook your chicken thoroughly”.
The newspapers also write that while such antibiotics are used on other types of farm animals, too, it is to a lesser extent: 59% of chickens are concerned, but the rate falls to 10% for cattle and pigs.
More
More
Swiss worry more about antibiotic resistance and cancer than Covid-19
This content was published on
In a recent survey, Swiss say the pandemic poses less of a risk to society than mental illness and antibiotic resistance.
Swiss skiers nab top spots in iconic Lauberhorn race
This content was published on
Swiss skier Marco Odermatt has won the Lauberhorn downhill ski race in Wengen, Switzerland, for the third time, just ahead of compatriot Franjo von Allmen.
Switzerland’s neighbours are ‘not role models’ in fiscal policy, says finance minister
This content was published on
Swiss finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter defended the country's compliance with the debt brake at a meeting of her party, the Radical-Liberals, on Saturday.
Pope Francis praises Swiss Guards’ patience with pilgrims
This content was published on
During a private audience on Saturday, Pope Francis praised the Swiss Guards for their "great patience" with pilgrims who visit the Vatican.
Swiss designer Kevin Germanier to design outfits for Eurovision presenters
This content was published on
Designer Kevin Germanier will dress the team of presenters at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place in May in Basel.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter makes official visit to Austria
This content was published on
Karin Keller-Sutter, who took over the rotating Swiss presidency this year, has made her first official visit abroad as president to Austria.
This content was published on
The boss of Swiss Post, Roberto Cirillo, is stepping down at the end of March after six years in the job, the company announced on Friday.
This content was published on
The name and logo of the former Credit Suisse headquarters at Paradeplatz 8 in Zurich's financial centre were officially replaced by those of UBS on Friday.
Outgoing Swiss federal police chief warns of insufficient resources
This content was published on
The outgoing director of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), Nicoletta della Valle, has warned that officers, prosecutors and investigators in Switzerland have insufficient resources to do their work.
Swiss university inaugurates Europe’s most powerful centrifuge
This content was published on
The federal technology institute ETH Zurich has inaugurated Europe's most powerful geotechnical centrifuge. Researchers use the instrument to simulate the effects of natural hazards.
Swiss film industry reports successful year in 2024
This content was published on
Swiss films did well in cinemas in 2024, recording over 907,000 admissions, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reports. They accounted for almost 9% of all films shown last year in Switzerland.
Swiss take major step in fight against antimicrobial resistance
This content was published on
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered the first new antibiotic class since the 1960s that can eradicate Gram-negative bacteria.
Report outlines measures to combat antibiotic resistance
This content was published on
A plan to fight back against antibiotic resistance calls for marketing incentives for research and development investments into crucial new drugs.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.