The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC) have issued a joint summary report on antimicrobial resistance in the EU based on data from its 28 Member States.

The 278-page report summarizes findings that antimicrobial resistance is increasing in bacteria that cause disease when transmitted from animals to humans (i.e., zoonotic diseases)—such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli.  EFSA found that in some countries resistance of Campylobacter to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, for example, is so high that there are few antibiotics left to treat severe infections in humans.  Further, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) was detected in pigs, calves, and hens, as well as meat from these food-producing animals.

As previously reported on this blog, antibiotic resistance continues to be of high concern for food safety authorities (including FDA), non-profit organizations, and corporations.