EFSA reports on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacteria over 2004-2007

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a report which says that resistance to antimicrobials is found among the most common zoonotic bacteria originating from animals and food in the EU, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. The zoonotic bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobials are of concern since they might compromise the effective treatment of diseases in humans.

Resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin, sulphonamide and tetracycline was commonly found among tested zoonotic bacteria. In addition, several Member States reported resistance to fluoroquinolones, macrolides or third generation cephalosporins, which are important antibiotics in treating diseases in humans. In particular, high levels of fluoroquinolone resistance were recorded in Salmonella in poultry and in Campylobacter in poultry, pigs and cattle, as well as in broiler meat.

During the years 2004-2007, 26 Member States sent their data to EFSA’s Zoonoses unit for the report, which is the third and final part of EFSA’s annual “Community Summary Report on Trends and Sources of Zoonoses and Zoonotic Agents in the European Union in 2007”. This Report also covered zoonotic agents and food-borne outbreaks in the EU.

• The Community Summary Report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from animals and food in the European Union in 2004-2007

 EFSA's previous work on the subject:

• The Community Summary Report on Trends and Sources of Zoonoses and Zoonotic Agents in the European Union in 2007
• The Community Summary Report on Food-Borne Outbreaks in The European Union in 2007