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In this number
Dear Readers,
In this issue 42/2026 of the National Veterinary Epidemiological Bulletin, we have chosen to explore the role of the environment in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from three complementary perspectives: national strategies, the occurrence and environmental fate of antibiotics in aquatic environments, and the monitoring of resistant microorganisms in surface waters.
Antimicrobial resistance is a complex challenge involving human health, animal health and the environment in closely interconnected ways. Understanding its dynamics and identifying effective control strategies therefore require a One Health approach capable of integrating expertise and surveillance systems that have traditionally operated separately.
In recent years, the role of the environment has received increasing recognition. Surface waters, in particular, represent an interface between human activities, livestock production and ecosystems. Through urban, hospital, livestock and industrial wastewater, they may receive antibiotic residues, transformation products, resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes. They therefore constitute a particularly relevant environmental matrix for investigating the spread of AMR and supporting prevention activities.
The three contributions included in this issue address the subject from different but closely integrated perspectives.
The first article, “The environmental objective of the PNCAR 2022–2025: from its origins to future prospects”, traces the progressive recognition of the environmental dimension within the Italian National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and examines its future development. Particular attention is given to the role of the Regions and to the main challenges that remain in establishing a harmonised environmental surveillance system.
The second contribution, “Antibiotics and their transformation products in the aquatic environment in the context of antimicrobial resistance”, addresses the chemical contamination of aquatic environments. It describes the environmental fate of antibiotics, the analytical techniques available for their monitoring and the potential contribution of these compounds to the selection of resistant bacteria.
The third article, “Monitoring antimicrobial resistance in surface waters: experience from the Abruzzo Region”, presents a practical example of environmental surveillance. It describes the organisation of the monitoring programme, the collaboration between the institutions involved and the approaches adopted to detect major resistant bacteria in surface waters.
Taken together, these contributions demonstrate that understanding AMR requires the integration of different areas of expertise, data sources and methodologies. Microbiological surveillance, antimicrobial residue monitoring and the development of control strategies are complementary components of a single, integrated knowledge system.
This issue of the BENV does not seek to provide an exhaustive account of such a complex and highly topical subject, but rather to offer an integrated perspective on the role of the environment in the spread of antimicrobial resistance. We hope that the contributions presented here will encourage dialogue across disciplines and support the development of increasingly coordinated surveillance systems, within a One Health approach founded on scientific evidence and institutional collaboration.
As usual, in the Data and Maps section allows users to generate up-to-date, detailed maps tailored to their needs, showing the distribution of the main animal diseases notified through SIMAN over the selected period.
In the Disease-Free Territories section, we highlight the following updates:
- With regard to infection with Brucella abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis in bovine populations, bovine brucellosis-free status has been formally granted to the Provinces of Caltanissetta, Trapani, Isernia and Chieti, pursuant to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/293 of 9 February 2026.
- With regard to infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (M. bovis, M. caprae and M. tuberculosis), disease-free status has been suspended for the Provinces of Bari and Isernia until 31 December 2026, and withdrawn for the Province of Catanzaro, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689.
- With regard to infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1–24), the loss of disease-free status followed changes in the national epidemiological situation and the application of the relevant legislation, namely Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620. Following the loss of disease-free status by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano in 2025, the last territory in Italy previously recognised as disease-free, the entire national territory is currently regarded as not disease-free.
In the News section contains scientific updates relating to 2026 and previous years, covering the period 2011–2025.
The Submit your article available through the Discover our online services drop-down menu, provides access to the guidelines for authors and allows articles and short news items to be submitted to the BENV Editorial Board.
You can contact us by email at benv@izs.it
I hope you enjoy reading this new issue.
Francesca Dall'Acqua
Veterinary Operational Centre for Epidemiology, Planning, Information and Risk Analysis (COVEPI)
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”
f.dallacqua@izs.it
