Abstract
This study aimed to assess the foodborne diseases (FBD) outbreaks reported in Brazil between 2000 and 2018, based on data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health (official data) and from scientific literature. According to official data, 13,163 FBD outbreaks were reported in the country during this period, involving 247,570 cases and 195 deaths. The largest prevalence of FBD outbreaks was observed in the Southeast region of Brazil (45.6%). In most outbreaks it was not possible to determine the food implicated (45.9%) but among those identified, water was the most frequently associated (12.0%). The etiological agent was not identified in most outbreaks (38.0%), while Salmonella (14.4%) was the most frequently reported among those identified. Homes were the main site of FBD occurrence (12.5%). Regarding data obtained from the scientific literature, 57 articles dealing with FBD in the country throughout the same period were selected and analyzed. Based on these articles, mixed foods were the most prevalent in the outbreaks (31.6%), Salmonella spp. was the pathogen most frequently reported (22.8%) and homes were also the main site of FBD occurrence (45.6%). Despite under-notification, the records of FBD outbreaks that have occurred in Brazil in the past recent years show alarming data, requiring attention from health authorities. The notification of outbreaks is essential to facilitate public health actions.
Highlights
Foodborne diseases (FBDs) are considered an important and growing public health issue and represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide
FBD outbreaks were reported to the Department of Health Surveillance, which estimates that 2,429,220 individuals had been exposed, resulting in 247,570 ill individuals and 195 deaths (Table 1)
(6.1%), and the North regions (5.3%) (Figure 1). Most of these FBD outbreaks were confirmed after investigation based on epidemiological surveys (22.7%), clinical analyses (13.2%), bromatological analyses (10.1%), and epidemiological–clinical–bromatological analyses (8.8%) (Table 2)
Summary
Foodborne diseases (FBDs) are considered an important and growing public health issue and represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. They are the result of ingestion of contaminated foods or beverages, mainly by a variety of bacteria or their toxins, viruses, and parasites [1]. Common FBD symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and fever. The intensity of these symptoms depends on many factors, such as the pathogen involved, infectious dose, health conditions of the affected individual, among others [2]. In addition to public health problems, FBD can cause significant economic losses since they may result in incapacity for work, costs
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