Dumpsites and rivers acting as a conveyor belt of Antimicrobial resistance

Prof Kariuki is a researcher at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Over the years, Kariuki and his team have been conducting trans-disciplinary research (research imvolving researchers from different disciplines) to investigate the link between the environment and health challenges in Kenya.

One of the observations the team at KEMRI made was that unlike in the past, the emergence of cholera was becoming more pronounced and new outbreaks were occurring during drier times of the year unlike in the past.

After various research endeavors, the team has found that cholera causing micro-organisms were persisting in the environment beyond the treatment period and hence become deadlier.

Through collaborative research in several dump sites in Kenya, led by KEMRI, ILRI, Ministry of Health and the University of Liverpool, the team observed that there was an ease of movement of micro-organisms from humans to animals with Nairobi dumpsites and rivers acting as a conveyor belt of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Prof Kariuki emphasised that addressing the rising threat of AMR requires a holistic and multisectoral approach (referred to as One Health including public, animal, and environmental health). The cause and impact of antimicrobial resistance over-arches all sectors.

Prof Kariuki was speaking during the World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019 in Kenya.