Enteric disease outbreak reporting, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 to 2005

Abstract

To review enteric disease outbreaks reported to the NSW Department of Health. Data from existing electronic enteric disease outbreak summary databases were used to describe the number and type of outbreaks reported, burden of illness and cause of the outbreaks. Between 2000 and 2005, 998 enteric disease outbreaks were reported (148 foodborne and 850 non-foodborne), affecting 24 260 people and associated with 771 hospitalisations and 21 deaths. Salmonella was confirmed in 28 per cent of foodborne outbreaks, and norovirus in 18 per cent of non-foodborne outbreaks. Enteric disease outbreaks cause a substantial burden of disease in NSW.