The European Union must take urgent and decisive action or risk missing its 2030 targets in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, said the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Monday 18 November.
“Between 2019 and 2023, antibiotic consumption in the European Union increased by 1%, moving away from the 20% reduction target recommended by the EU for 2030”, states the ECDC in a press release.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – antibiotics, antifungals and antiparasitics – is a threat to public health, particularly for patients treated in hospitals, says this EU agency (see EUROPE 13525/22).
It gives the example of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, the incidence of which has risen by 60% between 2019 and 2023, and for which very few therapeutic options are available to treat patients.
The agency recommends a three-pronged approach: prevention and control of infections, in particular by improving hand hygiene; prudent use of antimicrobials; and development of new antimicrobials.
ECDC reports: https://aeur.eu/f/edj (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)