CDC Food Safety Update: May-June

CDC & Food Safety New publications and resources May-June 2013

New Website: PulseNet tracks foodborne outbreaks Did you know that PulseNet is the first step in identifying foodborne outbreaks? Since 1996, PulseNet has connected foodborne illness cases together, using DNA "fingerprinting" of the bacteria making people sick, in order to detect and define outbreaks. CDC’s new PulseNet website features lots of great information about this important resource. Frequently Asked Questions A slideshow illustrating How PulseNet Works Graphics on PulseNet’s role in outbreak detection An infographic detailing the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) process Laboratory protocols for bacteria PulseNet tracks Information about culture independent diagnostic testing And much more! Visit the new PulseNet website at: http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/index.html   Want to contribute to the conversation about PulseNet? Consider tweeting about it! Remember to use the #PulseNet hashtag. Sample tweets: #PulseNet uses DNA fingerprints to track foodborne outbreaks. Learn more here: http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/about/index.html #PulseNet has detected 1000s of foodborne outbreaks since it began, thanks to its member labs. http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/about/fast-facts.html   #PulseNet is meeting the challenge of changing diagnostic technology. Find out how: http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/next-generation.html Select CDC food safety publications Attribution This paper suggest that methods to incorporate data from multiple surveillance systems and over several years are needed to improve estimation of the number of illnesses attributable to exposure sources. Attributing sporadic and outbreak-associated infections to sources: blending epidemiological data. Campylobacter This report reviews the progress made in the past 10 years in understanding and controlling Campylobacteriosis and suggests how contributing organizations can take action to reduce Campylobacter in the food chain and the burden of foodborne Campylobacteriosis. The Global View of Campylobacteriosis: Report of Expert Consultation Outbreaks!  CDC tracked 3 multistate outbreaks of foodborne illness during May: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121 Infections Linked to Farm Rich Brand Frozen Food Products Salmonella Saintpaul Infections Linked to Imported Cucumbers Salmonella Montevideo and Mbandaka infections linked to tahini sesame paste Web Resources Global food safety shines in CDC's Center for Global Health The newest issue of CDC Around the World, the Center for Global Health's popular newsletter, focuses on the issue of global food safety. Check out the features, including A photo of the week A blog on When Food Bites Back: Think locally, act globally An infographic on Tracing Food Back to the Source A video on Food Safety in a Global Economy A story from the field: PulseNet International: Tracking foodborne disease outbreaks throughout the world Click here for previous newsletters, including information about our recent Vital Signs release on Listeria in vulnerable populations.