Antibiotic resistance a growing problem, particularly in southern, eastern Europe

Antibiotic resistance is increasing throughout the world because of excessive use, Agence France-Press reports. The news service writes, "Experts at the 2nd annual European antibiotics awareness day held by the Stockholm-based European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control (ECDC) said new, hyper-resistant bacteria were emerging, threatening the pillars of global health."

According to the AFP, "ECDC stressed the situation is particularly worrisome in southern and eastern Europe where antibiotics consumption is higher than elsewhere" and noted "the situation could be even worse in poor countries, where antibiotics circulate more freely and are often available without a prescription" (Preel, 11/18).

A survey of European doctors by ECDC published in the infectious disease journal Eurosurveillance found that "one in five had seen more than three patients and some had seen more than ten patients with" an antibiotic-resistant infection in the last six months, according to the Telegraph (Smith, 11/18).