Published on 08/01/2019

Keywords : Antibiotics, Antimicrobials, Veterinary medicinal products, Veterinary drugs, Antibiotic resistance, Antimicrobial resistance

Veterinary antimicrobial sales have been monitored annually by the Agency since 1999. This monitoring is based on the recommendations in Chapter 6.8 of the OIE's 2016 Terrestrial Animal Health Code "Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in food-producing animals".

Published on 08/01/2019

Keywords : Antimicrobial resistance, Antibiotics, Resapath, Veterinary medicinal products, Animal health, Colistin

The development of antimicrobial resistance in animal and human bacteria is a major public health issue requiring an integrated approach across all types of medicine, according to the "One Health" concept covering both humans and animals. ANSES has mobilised significant resources to combat antimicrobial resistance, in particular by coordinating the French Surveillance Network for Antimicrobial Resistance in Pathogenic Bacteria of Animal Origin (Resapath), which is devoted to monitoring resistance in bacteria responsible for infections in all animal species. Resapath is both an essential tool for monitoring animal antimicrobial resistance and a key forum for cooperation among stakeholders in human and veterinary medicine. 

Published on 08/01/2019

Keywords : Antimicrobial resistance, Animal health, Veterinary medicinal products, Antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance is a major international human and animal health issue, because the emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains of bacteria call into question the efficacy of these treatments in humans and animals alike. Preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics is therefore a genuine public health challenge requiring an integrated approach across all types of medicine, according to the "One Health" concept covering both humans and animals. ANSES has mobilised significant resources to address the topic of antibiotic resistance. Through all its research, reference, surveillance and risk assessment activities, the Agency contributes to a greater understanding of the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance related to farming, food and the environment and, therefore, ultimately the risks to human health.

Published on 04/01/2019

Keywords : Bees, Animal health

For several years now, a phenomenon resulting in the weakening and mortality of bee colonies has been seen in many countries. In this context, the impact of various factors that may act alone or in combination on the health of bee colonies (infectious and parasitic diseases, stress related to changes in food resources, plant protection products, climate conditions, etc.) has regularly been demonstrated through different scientific studies. Below is an update on this issue and details of the Agency's work.

Published on 28/12/2018

Keywords : Red palm weevil, Plant health

What is the red palm weevil? The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a beetle that is a particular menace to palm trees. Originally from South and South-east Asia, it is now found in more than 60 countries, where it threatens date palms, ornamental palms and coconut palms. It has been present in France since 2006; it was first detected in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region (French Riviera) and has now become established in the Occitanie region and Corsica.

Published on 09/11/2018

Keywords : Sargassum seaweed

Since August 2014, the French Caribbean and French Guiana have been experiencing successive waves of Sargassum seaweed washing up on their coastlines. Despite the efforts made to clean it up, the seaweed decomposes in situ. This leads to the production of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which can sometimes be detected at high concentrations. Doctors' reports concerning the health effects suffered by people exposed to H2S, and complaints from the general public relating to the problem of odours, have increased sharply. Following a request from the Ministries of Health, the Environment and Labour, in March 2016 ANSES published an initial expert appraisal on the emissions from decomposing Sargassum seaweed. In 2017, this expert appraisal was supplemented by a revision of the toxicological profile of H2S and a summary of the ecology, accumulation, chemistry and decomposition of Sargassum seaweed.

Published on 30/08/2018

Keywords : Anthrax, Zoonosis

Anthrax is a zoonosis (i.e. a disease common to humans and animals) that primarily affects herbivores. It is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that is unusual in that it persists in soil for decades as spores. ANSES is the National Reference Laboratory for this disease. Here we provide a presentation of the disease and the role played by ANSES.

Updated on 03/08/2018

Keywords : Food supplements, Nutrivigilance, Melatonine, Adverse effects

Under the national nutrivigilance scheme, reports of adverse effects likely to be associated with the consumption of food supplements containing melatonin have been brought to the attention of ANSES. A retrospective analysis of these reports, combined with the considerable level of consumption of this type of supplement, led ANSES to conduct an assessment of the potential health risks. In its Opinion of February 2018, the Agency highlighted the existence of populations and situations at risk, for which the consumption of melatonin in the form of a food supplement should be avoided or medical advice should be sought. This mainly concerns pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and adolescents, people suffering from inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, people with epilepsy, asthma, or suffering from mood, behaviour or personality disorders, as well as anyone being treated with medication. People carrying out any activity requiring sustained vigilance where drowsiness could pose a safety problem should also avoid its consumption.

Published on 30/05/2018

Keywords : Vectors

Since 1 January 2018, ANSES has been responsible for the former missions of the National Centre for Vector Research (CNEV) in terms of expertise for risk assessment and scientific and technical support in the area of vectors.

Published on 30/05/2018

Keywords : Climate change

Climate change is a reality on which there is broad consensus in the scientific community. Because of the inertia of the climate system, changes to the climate related to human activities will continue for many years, regardless of any measures taken today. Combating climate change, which is part of a more global environmental change, is therefore essential to limit its magnitude.