Scientists from Sask., Sri Lanka work together to address threat of antibiotic resistance in animals
CBC
Two scientists whose connection was sparked in Saskatchewan are working together from different sides of the globe to improve animal health in Sri Lanka, in hopes of addressing a potential global health threat.
"Literally right here is where we sat together," said Joe Rubin, looking around his lab at the University of Saskatchewan.
It's the scene where an international friendship formed on the Prairies.
Rubin is a professor of veterinary microbiology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. He met fellow scientist Roshan Madalagama almost 11 years ago, when Madalagama came to Saskatchewan from Sri Lanka as a graduate student.
"I believe that my second home is in Canada," Madalagama told CBC from Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
"As a mentor, [Rubin] is one of the greatest people I've ever met in my life. There's no doubt about that."
Rubin supervised Madalagama as the two studied antimicrobial resistance, or AMR — the same issue they're tackling today.
Only now, it's Madalagama taking the lead.
"As a supervisor, there is nothing as gratifying as when your student kind of surpasses you," Rubin said with a laugh.
"Dr. Madalagama has gone on to do really amazing things. He's been a really inspirational person in his country."
Antimicrobial resistance is what happens when bacteria, fungus and parasites build up resistance to medication like antibiotics, making infections harder to treat and some procedures riskier. It can happen due to the overuse or misuse of those medications.
The World Health Organization deems AMR a major global threat, and the rates are especially high in Sri Lanka.
Up until last year, Madalagama said his country didn't monitor that resistance in animals — only humans.
The immediate worry is if it goes unchecked, vets in Sri Lanka won't be able to treat illnesses in livestock — which many families depend on for income or food for their own families.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.