AMR is one of the most important public health threats, and tackling this problem requires holistic One Health approach. Nordic countries share similar, reasonably well situation with AMR in humans, production animals and companion animals.
Import of rescue dogs from shelters in Central and Eastern Europe has been identified as a risk factor for AMR situation of Nordic countries. Also, other transportations of dogs from one country to another can spread bacteria with AMR.
The network will consist of researchers from three country and four research organisations: Finnish Food Authority – Ruokavirasto (Finland), Norwegian Veterinary Institute (Norway), Swedish Veterinary Agency, SVA (Sweden) and University of Helsinki (Finland).
Activities of the network consist of two workshops and several online meetings. Workshop meetings will increase trust and create a good foundation for future research initiatives.
In the workshops network members will gather existing knowledge and identify knowledge gaps. Workshop is also meant for knowledge sharing and external experts – possible members of the future consortium – will be invited to later workshop when the proposal is being formatted. The aim of the network is to build a larger consortium and apply funding for examining the extent and consequences of the phenomenon comprising the AMR in rescue dogs, dynamics of the dog population, and ownership profiles in Europe.