Foodborne Diseases: Prevalence of Foodborne Diseases in South East and Central Asia

Abstract

Foodborne disease pathogens in South East and Central Asia are still influenced by inadequate hygiene. Shigella flexneri,Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae O1 are often isolated from diarrheal patients in the two regions, although Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore have reported a decrease in the outbreaks associated with these bacteria. In countries where the above-mentioned bacteria are isolated, multiple-antibiotic resistant strains are found. Rotavirus and helminthic parasites are well documented in South East Asia but not in Central Asia. In contrast, brucellosis and botulism frequently reported in Central Asia are rarely recorded in South East Asia. The number of cases of foodborne disease outbreaks in some countries is on the rise, possibly due to increased awareness in food safety and better outbreak surveillance. Foods implicated in the outbreaks vary but street food vendors and schools are the common settings for foodborne outbreaks to take place.