EU sees 'super bugs' as major public health challenge

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

BRDO PRI KRANJU (AFP) — Multi-drug resistant "super bugs" are one of the major challenges for public health in Europe, with action required both at a national and EU-wide level, EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said Friday.

"Four million people have healthcare infections every year in the EU. Out of that figure, 35,000 die," said Vassiliou on the sidelines of a two-day informal meeting of health ministers.

"We consider antimicrobial resistance or AMR as one of the major challenges for public health."

AMR is caused by the frequent use of antibiotics and had become even "more of a health peril than road accidents," she said, adding: "This shows us that we have to take real action."

In most of the 27 EU member states, an increase of AMR had...