The second “Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Europe” report, published jointly by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and WHO/Europe, shows high percentages of resistance to last-line antibiotics, such as carbapenems, in several countries of the WHO European Region. The report features data from 2021.
As observed in previous regional reports, there is a north-to-south and west-to-east gradient of resistance, with higher rates observed in the southern and eastern parts of the European Region, indicating that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to patient safety.
More countries reporting data but standardized approach needed
In the European Region, 2 regional networks gather and present AMR surveillance data for almost all the 53 Member States of the Region: the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net) and the Central Asian and European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (CAESAR) network.
In 2020, 10 years after the creation of the network, CAESAR received data from an unprecedented 16 countries and areas. By 2021, overall more countries and laboratories were reporting data to the CAESAR network and EARS-Net, compared to the previous year; however, 16% of countries still said they only collected AMR data at local level and without a standardized approach.
“AMR surveillance can play a pivotal role in strengthening health system resilience and preparedness in the European Region and globally,” noted Dr Danilo Lo Fo Wong, WHO Regional Adviser for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance. He stressed that “current patterns, such as increases in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter species that are difficult to eradicate once endemic, underline the need to further enhance efforts to prevent and detect resistance”.
Most countries in the Region have developed AMR national action plans – including comprehensive programmes and interventions on infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance. The challenge ahead is to ensure that these have high-level support and robust funding to tackle the threat from AMR.