No abstract

These outbreaks demonstrate the potential of foodborne disease to spread internationally and the need for national and international collaboration to investigate such outbreaks. Foodborne illness related to norovirus is underestimated because of underreporting of human cases and challenges in laboratory detection of viruses in foods, both of which can delay public health action.

No abstract

CAdV infection is common in the Australian fox population whereas CaHV-1 infection is rare. For CAdV, the age and seasonal patterns of seroprevalence were generally consistent with the recruitment of young susceptible foxes into the population in the spring and the accumulation of infections with age. The differences in regional prevalences correlated with fox density. The low prevalence of antibody to CaHV-1 suggests that CaHV-1 may be a more suitable vector than CAdV for bait delivery of immunocontraceptive antigens to foxes in Australia.

Review of 128 outbreaks of foodborne disease (affecting almost 6000 people, with six deaths) between 1980 and 1995 and available surveillance data showed that foodborne disease in Australia is similar to that in other industrialised countries. Campylobacter spp. and non‐ typhoidal Salmonella spp. were the most commonly reported pathogens. However, Australia, unlike the UK and US, lacks a comprehensive national surveillance system for foodborne diseases. This is essential to improve control of these diseases. (MJA 1996; 165:672‐675)