Surveillance of AMR in Escherichia ​coli on Raw Fresh Chicken and Turkey Meat in Retail Sale in Northern Ireland in 2024

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined as the ability of a microorganism to multiply or persist in the presence of an increased level of an antimicrobial agent relative to the susceptible counterpart of the same species. • It should be noted that epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs) have been used in this survey to determine ‘resistance’, but ECOFFs do not necessarily indicate clinical resistance (ACMSF, 2024 (https://acmsf.food.gov.uk/2024AMRreport)). • Mandatory anonymised reporting (without product details) under EU regulation 2020/1729 (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feur-lex.europa.eu%2Flegal-content%2FEN%2FTXT%2F%3Furi%3Duriserv%3AOJ.L_.2020.387.01.0008.01.ENG=05%7C02%7C%7C728e0578d2584889e4b308dcac7237a7%7C8a1c50f901b74c8aa6fa90eb906f18e9%7C0%7C0%7C638574853788123226%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C=KmvOFBnQh8Nlkib8E6S2hsMSMyJrJeQA%2FosdNhJvZtM%3D=0) for the monitoring and reporting of AMR in zoonotic and commensal bacteria has been submitted to the EU for antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from fresh chicken and turkey purchased for retail sale in Northern Ireland (NI) from January to December 2024. • In this survey, 300 chicken and 300 turkey fresh retail meat samples were tested for Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL), AmpC Beta-Lactamases (AmpC) and Carbapenemases (CP) enzyme producing E. coli according to EU regulation 2020/1729 (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feur-lex.europa.eu%2Flegal-content%2FEN%2FTXT%2F%3Furi%3Duriserv%3AOJ.L_.2020.387.01.0008.01.ENG=05%7C02%7C%7C728e0578d2584889e4b308dcac7237a7%7C8a1c50f901b74c8aa6fa90eb906f18e9%7C0%7C0%7C638574853788123226%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C=KmvOFBnQh8Nlkib8E6S2hsMSMyJrJeQA%2FosdNhJvZtM%3D=0). • The overall prevalence of ESBL and AmpC producing E. coli was 12% (73/600) from fresh raw chicken and turkey samples, correlating with 2022 UK levels. The prevalence of ESBL and AmpC producing E. coli was 9% from chicken (27/300) and 15% from turkey (46/300). • No isolates were resistant to last line antibiotics, including colistin and carbapenems. • The risk of acquiring AMR related infections through the handling and consumption of retail contaminated meats is very low with proper food handling and adequate cooking practices. • A summary can be found in our infographic available here (291907).