Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet)

Abstract

In order to collect more accurate data on the incidence and causes of foodborne diseases the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began a collaborative effort with state and local health departments in July of 1995 known as the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet). Under FoodNet, the FSIS, CDC, and FDA, along with health departments in California, Oregon, Minnesota, Georgia, Connecticut, Maryland, and New York have formed a direct working link to monitor the yearly incidence of foodborne illness and develop a network to respond to emerging foodborne diseases. Data is collected through population-based surveys, laboratory surveys, physician surveys, and case-control studies. These studies aim to identify pathogens responsible for foodborne illnesses, to determine behaviors related to food handling and pathogen exposure, and to identify health care practices related to diarrheal diseases. FoodNet completed its first year of data collection the end of 1996 and all data at this time is preliminary. FoodNet found 7,322 laboratory-confirmed diarrheal cases, from a population of 13.2 million, attributable to the 7 bacterial pathogens targeted. Of those cases, 45.9 percent were attributed to Campylobacter. Salmonella was identified in 28.3 percent, Shigella in 17.4 percent, E. coli O157:H7 in 5.3 percent, Yersinia in 2 percent, Listeria in 0.9 percent, and Vibrio in 0.5 percent. FSIS will use the FoodNet data to evaluate the effectiveness of new food safety programs and regulations in reducing foodborne pathogens on meat and poultry.