Abstract
BackgroundFoodborne diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and a major public health problem worldwide. We aim to explore characteristics of foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) in Zhejiang Province and to provide data support for foodborne disease prevention and control. To our knowledge, few such analyses have been published at the provincial level.MethodsDescriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data reported by centers for disease control (CDC) at all levels in Zhejiang Province through Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System (FDOSS) during 2015–2020.ResultsA total of 962 FBDOs were reported during this period, resulting in 8324 illnesses, 1028 hospitalizations, and 20 deaths. The number of outbreaks (410 outbreaks, 42.62%) and cases (4991 cases, 59.96%) caused by bacteria were the largest, followed by poisonous mushrooms (157 outbreaks, 587 cases), which was the main cause of death (15 deaths, 75%). The highest number of FBDOs occurred in households (381 outbreaks, 39.60%), followed by restaurants (219 outbreaks, 22.77%) and canteens (174 outbreaks, 18.08%). Animal-based foods were the most common single food reported (232 outbreaks, 24.12%), followed by poisonous mushrooms (162 outbreaks, 16.84%), and plant-based foods (133 outbreaks, 13.83%). Poisonous mushrooms took the first place in outbreaks in households (38.32%, 146/381), while bacteria took the first place in outbreaks outside households. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was responsible for the largest number of outbreaks (232 outbreaks, 24.12%), which mainly occurred in catering service units (93.10%, 216/232). Different types of bacteria tended to be found in different food categories, such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which was mainly found in aquatic products.ConclusionsAnalysis of FBDOs can provide insight into the most important pathogens and sources of foodborne disease, helping authorities identify high-risk etiologies, high-risk foods, and high-risk settings to guide policies that would reduce FBDOs.
Highlights
Foodborne diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and a major public health problem worldwide
Poisonous mushrooms took the first place in outbreaks in households (38.32%, 146/381), while bacteria took the first place in outbreaks outside households
Different types of bacteria tended to be found in different food categories, such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which was mainly found in aquatic products
Summary
Foodborne diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and a major public health problem worldwide. Foodborne diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and a major obstacle to socio-economic development worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that 600 million people worldwide fall ill from eating contaminated food each year, resulting in 420,000 deaths and a loss of 33 million healthy life years [1]. (2022) 22:135 low-and middle-income countries, food insecurity costs. $110 billion a year in lost productivity and lost health care costs [2]. As the largest developing country, the burden of foodborne diseases in China is not optimistic. A nationwide survey of acute gastroenteritis estimates (AGI) that 748 million AGI cases and 420 million medical consultations occur in China each year [3]. We need early identification, monitoring and early warning through foodborne disease surveillance systems to identify trends, risk factors and disease burden of specific diseases in order to reduce foodborne diseases
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