Every year in October, there is a peak in the number of mushroom poisoning cases. Certain species of mushroom are toxic and can even be fatal to humans. In 2022, two people died after mistaking toxic species for edible ones. Whether you are a connoisseur or an occasional picker, you should remain vigilant and follow good practices to ensure safe consumption.
Foot-and-mouth disease: facilitating the transport of samples from field to laboratory to identify circulating strains
ANSES has developed a simple, cost-effective method for transporting samples taken when foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is suspected. It could be used in countries that cannot apply the standard transport protocol because it is too expensive. The aim is to increase the number of samples sent to diagnostic laboratories in order to identify circulating strains and therefore combat the disease more effectively.
Head lice treatments: never use products for animals on children
On 2 October 2023, ANSES received a report involving the case of a young girl who was hospitalised in serious condition following the use of insecticides intended for treating parasites in cattle. Every year, the Agency is informed of cases where antiparasitics intended for animals are used to treat head lice in children. It reiterates that antiparasitic treatments for animals should never be used on human beings, especially children.
Prosulfocarb is one of the most widely sold herbicidal active substances in France. For several years now, ANSES has been paying close attention to the problems posed by spray drift of prosulfocarb products. For example, the Agency has examined deposits on non-target crops following prosulfocarb treatments. It has also updated its assessment of products with regard to the exposure of local residents. Below we take stock of the work carried out by ANSES since 2017.
Pool collections of micro-organisms at European level
To make it easier for the entire scientific community to access collections of micro-organisms, in line with the "One Health" approach, ANSES took part in the European CARE project, funded by the One Health European Joint Programme (EJP) coordinated by the Agency.
Our online game "Agent tous risques" wins an award!
"Agent tous risques", our online game created in collaboration with Spintank, has been awarded a prize at the Stratégies magazine Grand Prix. It won the BRONZE award in the “External editorial communication medium or device” category.
First cases of epizootic haemorrhagic disease in France
Three cattle in France have been diagnosed with epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD). They are the very first cases to have occurred in this country. They were confirmed on 18 September 2023 by the ANSES Laboratory for Animal Health, which is the reference laboratory for this disease in France and for the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The cases were reported in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées départéments.
Antimicrobial resistance in animals: bacterium/antibiotic combinations for priority monitoring
Antimicrobial resistance has been identified by the WHO as one of the major global threats to public health. The transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from animals to humans is one of the sources that can lead to therapeutic "dead-ends" in the treatment of certain diseases. ANSES has drafted a list of 11 "bacterium/antibiotic class" combinations requiring priority monitoring in animals, given the major issues for human health. This expert appraisal forms part of the preparation for the national EcoAntibio 3 plan, which aims to continue the progress already made in reducing antibiotic use in animal health.