26/08/2014

European Parliament: Questions for written answer to the Commission: Appearance of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteria in the EU


 
E-000042/14 - Sirpa Pietikäinen (6 January 2014)
.
Subject: Appearance of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteria in the EU
.
Research has provided evidence of the possible threats posed by carbapenem-resistant nterobacteria (CRE) in humans and animals. If spread on a large scale, the mortality rate caused by CRE is expected to be much higher than that resulting from Escherichia coli, breakouts of which occurred in 2007 and 2011. The most dangerous associated pathogen to have been identified is NDM-1, which is resistant to all antibiotics.
.
Does the Commission possess up-to-date data on the prevalence of the CRE — in particular that of NDM-1 — in the EU?
.
Does the Commission believe that its current risk assessment mechanism for communicable diseases is sufficiently rapid and efficient to track potential epidemics caused by CRE? Does the Commission have any special measures in place to prevent an outbreak of CRE?
.
Meat inspection rules are continually revised in order to meet the demands of the technical developments in inspection methods. Has the Commission taken into account the detection methods in place for CRE — which involves culture-based or molecular samples being taken in routine testing — when revising these rules?
.
NDM-1 is prevalent in animals, especially in China, where the latest cases show evidence of Salmonella bearing NDM-1. How will the Commission ensure that CRE do not enter the food chain in the EU via products from third countries? Does the Commission plan to introduce mandatory inspections and a ban on carbapenem-producing substances for foodstuffs originating in third countries?.
.
.
Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission (5 March 2014):
:
The Commission, though the ECDC(1), is aware of the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria in humans, including information about NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae (2).
.
The existing EU risk assessment mechanism for communicable diseases is sufficient to track potential epidemics caused by carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria. MS report outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria to the EWRS(3) and can use the Epidemic Intelligence Information System for antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections to exchange information. Risk assessments are prepared and published upon request by the Commission.(4) The prevention of outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria is the responsibility of each Member State.
.
In a review of the rules on meat inspection, EFSA(5) identified public health hazards in meat. Current inspection methods do not enable the detection of biological hazards. The agency recommends to strengthen food chain information as part of the ante-mortem inspection and to improve slaughter hygiene. No validated data on the occurrence of carbapenem-resistance in food and food-producing animals exist(6). The harmonised monitoring programme for antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and commensal bacteria will include specific monitoring of carbapenemase-producing bacteria as of 2015(7),
.
Current EU legislation covers food safety criteria for all Salmonella strains in relevant food, applying also to food imported from third countries.
.
The EC action plan against antimicrobial resistance (8) prioritises international cooperation and takes into account measures for the control of the spread of resistant bacteria in the food chain linked to import from third countries.

 

---------------------------------

 

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
On 15 November 2013, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) released the latest data on carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Europe. http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications/Publications/antimicrobial-resistance-carbapenemase-producing-bacteria-europe.pdf
Early Warning and Response System.
Decision 1082/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 on serious cross border threats to health and repealing Decision No 2119/98/EC (OJ L 293, 5.11.2013, p. 1).
The European Food Safety Authority.
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3501.htm
Commission Implementing Decision (2013/652/EU) of 12 November 2013 on the monitoring and reporting of antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and commensal bacteria (OJ L 303, 14.11.2013, p26).
http://ec.europa.eu/health/antimicrobial_resistance/policy/index_en.htm

 

[Official Journal of the European Union C 279, 22 August 2014, p. 55]