Aquamedicine Use for Disease Treatment in Pond-Based Commercial Tilapia Farms in Bangladesh

This study addresses the limited information on aquamedicine use, including antimicrobial use (AMU), in commercial tilapia farms in Bangladesh. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2022 in the Mymensingh district, a major tilapia production hub. Nearly half of the farms (46.6%) experienced fish mortality during the last production cycle, and 75.0% of farmers did not seek professional assistance during disease outbreaks. Among those who did, 68.0% relied on chemical or drug suppliers for guidance rather than veterinary experts. Biosecurity practices were inadequate, with 98.3% not implementing four basic monitored measures: disinfection of vehicles, footwear, hands, and equipment. Awareness of AMU risks among respondents was low, with 56.0% unaware of its negative impacts and 88.8% unfamiliar with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Farms with polyculture systems or fish showing clinical signs or mortality were more likely to use treatment products (p<0.01). Treatment use varied significantly across different upazilas (p<0.001), suggesting location-specific differences in disease management. Antibiotic use was low, with only 15.5% of farms reporting antibiotic treatments, primarily oxytetracycline hydrochloride (23.8%), enrofloxacin (19.0%), and erythromycin–sulphadiazine–trimethoprim (19.0%). However, other chemicals with antimicrobial properties, such as disinfectants, were more commonly applied, reported by 39.7% of farms for disease management. Imprudent use of disinfectants and aquamedicines may pose One Health risks, including disruption of pond microbial ecosystems, AMR development, chemical residues, and occupational hazards. In-depth qualitative studies are needed to further understand and optimize aquamedicine use practices and determine how tilapia farmers may benefit from improved biosecurity, training, and veterinary access.

Citation

Shafiq Rheman, Laura Khor, Sabrina Hossain, Jerome Delamare-Deboutteville, Henry Madsen Henry, Anders Dalsgaard, Mike Murphy, Vivian Hoffmann, Arshnee Moodley, David Verner-Jeffreys, Vishnumurthy Mohan Chadag. (22/4/2025). Aquamedicine Use for Disease Treatment in Pond-Based Commercial Tilapia Farms in Bangladesh. SSRN.