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On the occasion of the first European Antibiotic Awareness Day 18 November 2008, new European wide surveillance data show that the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibiotic treatments is increasing, while control programmes in a number of countries are producing results. The pace at which antibiotics are losing their effectiveness against bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium often causing urinary tract infections, is alarming. A significant increase has been reported in almost all Member States in recent years. A significant proportion of European countries report Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) proportions of 25% or higher for all infections with this common micro-organism. Fortunately, national efforts in a number of countries have resulted in decreasing levels of resistance. Significant variations between countries are apparent in both antibiotic consumption and antibiotic resistance, with populations in southern European countries consuming on average two and even three times more antibiotics than people in northern Europe. Not surprisingly, there is a relationship between the level of antibiotic consumption and the level of antibiotic resistance in the different countries. This relationship points at overuse of antibiotics in some countries as accelerating the development and spread of resistant bacteria that render antibiotics ineffective.

EU Health Commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou, said: "From now on, 18 November will be seen as the day to focus our attention on the efforts made by all Member States to encourage prudent use of antibiotics across Europe. Every citizen, healthcare worker, patient and consumer should be targeted and made aware of the dangers of improper antibiotic use".

Speaking today at a scientific seminar in the European Parliament, Strasbourg, ECDC's Director Zsuzsanna Jakab said: "Today, all the European Union countries will be marking the first European Antibiotic Awareness Day. The aim of this awareness day is to inform the general public about when and how to take antibiotics and why responsible antibiotic use is so important".

Background to the first-ever European Antibiotic Awareness Day

The European Antibiotic Awareness Day is a European public health initiative to raise awareness about the problem of antibiotic resistance, and to provide information on how everyone can contribute to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, politicians and consumers need to be made aware of the dangers of improper use of antibiotics. In 2008, European Antibiotic Awareness Day is focusing specifically on the need for everybody to reduce any unnecessary use of antibiotics. Unnecessary use includes taking antibiotics without a prescription from a doctor or requesting antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as a cold or flu. When prescribed antibiotics, people need to follow the precise instructions from their doctor on how to take them and always complete the course - even when they start to feel better. European Antibiotic Awareness Day campaign is marked across Europe for the first time on 18 November 2008.

Background information on ECDC

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is an EU agency tasked with identifying assessing and communicating threats to human health posed by infectious diseases. It supports the work of public health authorities in the EU and EEA/EFTA Member States. http://www.ecdc.eu.int

Further information

Link to European Antibiotic Awareness Day website.

View the European Antibiotic Awareness Day film.

See what is happening across Europe on European Antibiotic Awareness Day.

Download the European Antibiotic Awareness Day campaign materials.

Read more about ECDC's activities on antimicrobial resistance.

Source
Selina Vanier
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