Antimicrobial resistance, insights from EFSA and ECDC report

05 March 2024

The report issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) highlights the ongoing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both humans and animals across Europe. Despite some progress, particularly in reducing resistance to certain key antimicrobials in food-producing animals, significant concerns persist.

The report indicates that Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria frequently exhibit resistance to commonly used antimicrobials. However, the combined resistance to critically important antimicrobials for human medicine remains relatively low, except in certain types of Salmonella and Campylobacter coli in specific countries. Notably, there has been an encouraging increase in the proportion of E. coli isolates from food-producing animals showing complete susceptibility or zero resistance to key antimicrobials, alongside a decrease in the prevalence of E. coli isolates producing enzymes that can render antibiotics ineffective.

While positive strides have been made, the report stresses the necessity of continued joint efforts to combat this global threat. The One Health approach, which emphasizes collaboration across different sectors such as human health, animal health, and the environment, is essential in addressing AMR effectively.

To address these challenges, the report advocates for promoting prudent use of antimicrobials, improving infection prevention and control practices, investing in research and innovation for new antimicrobials, and ensuring robust policies at the national level.

EFSA has developed interactive communication tools to aid in monitoring and understanding AMR trends, facilitating informed decision-making to combat this pressing public health issue.