The $15 billion ornamental fish industry faces a global
problem with antibiotic resistance, a new study concludes, raising concern that
treatments for fish diseases may not work when needed – and creating yet
another mechanism for exposing humans to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The risk to humans is probably minor unless they frequently
work with fish or have compromised immune systems, researchers said, although
transmission of disease from tropical fish has been shown to occur. More
serious is the risk to this industry, which has grown significantly in recent
years, and is now a $900 million annual business in the United States.