Listeria in humans and animals is a major problem although they are present in low numbers.
The stabilization of campylobacteriosis cases and the continuing downward trend of salmonellosis is good news, but we should not lower our guard as reporting of other diseases such as listeriosis and VTEC infections is going up,” says Marta Hugas, Head of Department of EFSA’s Risk Assessment and Scientific Assistance Department, who stresses the importance of monitoring foodborne illnesses in Europe.
Campylobacteriosis stabilized: Last year report showed that human campylobacteriosis decreased slightly for the first time in five years. The 2013 figures have stabilized to the levels reported in 2012. Nevertheless, with 214,779 cases, campylobacteriosis remains the most commonly reported foodborne disease in the EU, especially in chicken meat.
Listeriosis and VTEC infections on the rise: Listeriosis cases increased by 8.6 percent between 2012 and 2013 and have been increasing over the past five years. Although the number of confirmed cases is relatively low at 1,763, these are of particular concern as the reported Listeria infections are mostly severe, invasive forms of the disease with higher death rates than for the other foodborne diseases. The rise of reported invasive listeriosis cases is of great concern in ready-to-eat food and it may lead to death, particularly among the increasing population of elderly people and patients with weakened immunity in Europe. Despite the rise of listeriosis cases reported in humans, Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium that causes listeriosis in humans and animals are present in low numbers, usually above the legal safety limits in ready-to-eat foods.
Verotoxigenic E. coli: Reported cases of verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) infection rose by 5.9 percent – possibly an effect of increased awareness in Member States following the outbreak in 2011, which translated into better testing and reporting. This trend is not present for VTEC from food and animals.
Salmonellosis and Yersiniosis on the decline: Salmonellosis cases fell for the eighth year in a row, with 82,694 cases –a 7.9 percent decrease in the notification rate compared with 2012. The report attributes the decrease to Salmonella control programs in poultry and notes that most Member States met their reduction goals for prevalence in poultry for 2013. In fresh poultry meat, compliance with EU Salmonella criteria increased – a signal that Member States’ investments in control measures are working.
Yersiniosis, the third most commonly reported zoonotic disease in the EU with 6,471 cases, has been decreasing over the past five years and declined by 2.8 percent compared with 2012.
The EFSA-ECDC report covers 16 zoonosis and foodborne outbreaks.
Verotoxigenic E. coli: Reported cases of verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) infection rose by 5.9 percent – possibly an effect of increased awareness in Member States following the outbreak in 2011, which translated into better testing and reporting. This trend is not present for VTEC from food and animals.
Salmonellosis and Yersiniosis on the decline: Salmonellosis cases fell for the eighth year in a row, with 82,694 cases –a 7.9 percent decrease in the notification rate compared with 2012. The report attributes the decrease to Salmonella control programs in poultry and notes that most Member States met their reduction goals for prevalence in poultry for 2013. In fresh poultry meat, compliance with EU Salmonella criteria increased – a signal that Member States’ investments in control measures are working.
Yersiniosis, the third most commonly reported zoonotic disease in the EU with 6,471 cases, has been decreasing over the past five years and declined by 2.8 percent compared with 2012.
The EFSA-ECDC report covers 16 zoonosis and foodborne outbreaks.
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario