Preliminary Incidence and Trends of Infections with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food — Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 10 U.S. Sites, 2015–2018 | MMWR

Preliminary Incidence and Trends of Infections with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food — Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 10 U.S. Sites, 2015–2018 | MMWR

• Campylobacter and Salmonella continue to be the most commonly reported foodborne bacteria, according to a new report from FoodNet—the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network.
• Targeted interventions to reduce contamination throughout the food production chain can lead to fewer foodborne illnesses.
• Health department laboratories can reduce foodborne illnesses by culturing specimens that have positive culture-independent diagnostic test results, providing critical information to detect outbreaks, inform treatment, and guide interventions.

Preliminary Incidence and Trends of Infections with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food — Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 10 U.S. Sites, 2015–2018

Weekly / April 26, 2019 / 68(16);369–373

Danielle M. Tack, DVM1; Ellyn P. Marder, MPH1; Patricia M. Griffin, MD1; Paul R. Cieslak, MD2; John Dunn, DVM3; Sharon Hurd, MPH4; Elaine Scallan, PhD5; Sarah Lathrop, PhD6; Alison Muse, MPH7; Patricia Ryan, MD8; Kirk Smith, DVM9; Melissa Tobin-D’Angelo, MD10; Duc J. Vugia, MD11; Kristin G. Holt, DVM12; Beverly J. Wolpert, PhD13; Robert Tauxe, MD1; Aimee L. Geissler, PhD1 (View author affiliations)

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

The incidence of foodborne infections has remained largely unchanged. Clinical laboratories are increasingly using culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) to detect enteric infections. CIDTs benefit public health surveillance by identifying pathogens not routinely detected by previous methods but complicate data interpretation.

What is added by this report?

The incidence of most infections increased during 2018 compared with 2015–2017; this might be partially attributable to increased CIDT use. The incidence of Cyclospora infections increased markedly, in part related to large outbreaks associated with produce. The number of human infections caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella, especially serotype Enteritidis, remains high.

What are the implications for public health practice?

As use of CIDTs increases, it is important to obtain and subtype isolates and interview ill persons to monitor prevention efforts and develop more targeted prevention and control measures to make food safer and decrease human illness.