A study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology suggests that birds and foxes may be helping scientists detect antibiotic resistance before it spreads. The study used nearly 500 fecal samples from various species to study how antibiotic resistance travels across land, water, and air. The results revealed that red foxes are most likely to spread short-range AMR (antimicrobial resistance) across land and water, while birds spread it via the air and the water. This suggests that environmental clones, which can be transmitted through contaminated water, put humans at a higher risk of contracting the bacteria. The researchers recommend enhanced surveillance and improved treatment processes at wastewater and sewage plants.