in-cyprus 6 February 2025 - by Marilena Panayi
Cyprus has recorded the European Union’s third-highest increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria cases since 2019, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported on Monday, warning of risks to both patients and healthcare systems.
Cases of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in Cyprus surged by 275.5% between 2019 and 2023, with infection rates rising from 2.61 to 9.8 cases per 100,000 population, the report showed.
“CRE infections pose a significant threat to patients and healthcare systems in the EU”, said Piotr Kramarz, ECDC Chief Scientist. “The epidemiological situation has worsened since 2019”.
The bacteria, which include E. coli and Klebsiella strains, are particularly difficult to treat as they resist carbapenem antibiotics, often considered a last resort for bacterial infections.
Only Hungary and Croatia reported higher percentage increases, though Hungary’s actual case numbers remained significantly lower at 0.79 per 100,000 population in 2023.
The EU-wide increase averaged 57.5%, with infections rising in 23 member states due to continued spread in hospitals, the report said. Greece recorded the highest absolute rate at 21.4 cases per 100,000 population.
ECDC called for urgent coordinated action across EU countries, recommending enhanced national coordination of control measures between hospitals and regions.
The agency suggested establishing specialised interdisciplinary national management teams where not already present.
“Despite several new antibiotics, treatment options remain limited overall. Immediate action is essential to control this problem and protect patients from increasingly difficult-to-treat infections”, Kramarz added.
