Estimating the Burden of Acute Gastroenteritis, Foodborne Disease, and Pathogens Commonly Transmitted by Food: An International Review

Abstract

The burden of foodborne disease is not well defined in many countries or regions or on a global level. The World Health Organization (WHO), in conjunction with other national public health agencies, is coordinating a number of international activities designed to assist countries in the strengthening of disease surveillance and to determine the burden of acute gastroenteritis. These data can then be used to estimate the following situations: (1) the burden associated with acute gastroenteritis of foodborne origin, (2) the burden caused by specific pathogens commonly transmitted by food, and (3) the burden caused by specific foods or food groups. Many of the scientists collaborating with the WHO on these activities have been involved in quantifying the burden of acute gastroenteritis on a national basis. This article reviews these key national studies and the international efforts that are providing the necessary information and technical resources to derive national, regional, and global burden of disease estimates.

Experiencias en la vigilancia epidemiológica de agentes patógenos transmitidos por alimentos a través de electroforesis en campo pulsado (PFGE) en el Perú

“…La contaminación puede deberse a la deficiencia en el proceso de elaboración, manipulación, conservación, transporte, distribución o comercialización de alimentos y agua, las cuales pueden clasificarse en infecciones o intoxicaciones alimentarias sin incluir las reacciones de hipersensibilidad a los alimentos (1)(2)(3) .…”

“…Las ETA son una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo, además de producir un gran impacto económico tanto por los gastos en salud producidos como en las actividades económicas relacionadas con la producción de alimentos (2)(3)(4)(5) . Para el año 2005 se estimó que 1,5 millones de personas murieron a causa de enfermedades diarreicas a nivel mundial y el 70% de ellas son atribuidas a las ETA (5) .…”

Occurrence of salmonella spp. serotypes isolated from the poultry exploitations in n’djamena and doba towns-chad

“…In 2010, this bacterium originate from 141 CFBTI homes, corresponding to 1357 cases of human infection of food origin (Lailler et al, 2012). The majority of foods infected have been reported to be chicken and eggs (Parrys et al, 2002;Flint et al, 2005). The presence of these micro-organisms in the chicken also affects the trade, with deep economic impacts.…”

Case-Control Studies of Sporadic Enteric Infections: A Review and Discussion of Studies Conducted Internationally from 1990 to 2009

“…The International Collaboration on Enteric Disease "Burden of Illness" Studies (hereafter, the International Collaboration) was started in 2004 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to foster communication among groups conducting burden of foodborne disease studies and to provide a forum for technical assistance on developing such studies (Flint et al, 2005). In 2005, a working group was established within the International Collaboration to explore the methods used to conduct case-control studies of sporadic enteric disease; the working group had representatives from nine countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, and the United States).…”