• 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.
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European Centre for Disease
Prevention and Control (ECDC).
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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
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Early Warning and Response
System.
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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).
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The European Food Safety
Authority.
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http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3501.htm
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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).
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http://ec.europa.eu/health/antimicrobial_resistance/policy/index_en.htm
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[Official Journal of the
European Union C 279, 22 August 2014, p. 55]
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