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Recent surveillance data reveal that resistance to commonly used antimicrobials — such as ampicillin, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides— remains persistently high in both humans and animals for key pathogens including Salmonella and Campylobacter. Resistance in E. coli is also frequently observed in animals, although resistance of Salmonella in laying hens is low.
The high resistance to ciprofloxacin, a critically important fluoroquinolone antimicrobial for treatment of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections, is a growing concern. Resistance to ciprofloxacin was found to be increasing in Salmonella Enteritidis and Campylobacter jejuni from humans. High to extremely high proportions of ciprofloxacin resistance have been observed in Campylobacter from food-producing animals, and in Salmonella and E. coli from poultry specifically.
Although carbapenem resistance remains rare, the occasional detection of carbapenem resistant E. coli in food and animals calls for sustained vigilance and further epidemiological investigations.
Despite these challenges, the report also highlights positive trends. Significant progress has been made in reducing resistance levels in several countries that have provided data. Over the past decade, several Member States have recorded a decrease in antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals.
March 5, 2025/ EFSA/ European Union.
https://www.efsa.europa.eu
