Foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2013.

AIM: The purpose of the study is to assess the epidemiological situation of food poisonings and infections in Poland in 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The evaluation was based on the analysis of information from reports of epidemiological investigations in outbreaks of food poisonings and infections, submitted by the sanitary-epidemiological stations to the Department of Epidemiology, NIZP-PZH annual bulletins (Czarkowski MP et al. "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland", 2006-2013. Warsaw, NIPH-NIH and GIS). RESULTS: In 2013 a further decrease in the number of infections and intoxications with bacterial etiology and an increase in the infections of viral etiology was observed. Furthermore 2013 is another year with low number of cases of trichinellosis (9 cases in total). In 2013 a total number of 491 foodborne infections and intoxications outbreaks were reported in which there were 29,179 persons exposed and 5,664 (including 2 193 children up to 14 years of age) persons ill. Hospitalization was required for 1,445 persons. The most frequent etiological agent in those outbreaks was Salmonella spp.--which was responsible for 36,3% of outbreaks and 21,5% of cases. Viruses were responsible for 29,7 of outbreaks and 45,7 cases, in 19,3% of outbreaks no etiological agent was established. Like in 2012 the most frequent vehicle were dishes made from eggs and milk combined with eggs (9,4% of outbreaks). In 65% of outbreaks reported no vehicle could be found. Moreover in 2013 a total number of 3 outbreaks in which more than 100 cases were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the number of foodborne outbreaks of viral etiology shows the need of adjustment some aspects of epidemiological investigations especially such features as: laboratory conformation of etiological agent of ill persons as well as persons involved in the food processing and meals preparing and the aspect of food samples testing.

Foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2012.

AIM: The purpose of the study is to assess the epidemiological situation of foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The evaluation was based on analysis of information from reports of epidemiological investigations in foodborne outbreaks, submitted by the sanitary-epidemiological stations to the Department of Epidemiology, NIZP-PZH annual bulletins (Czarkowski MP et al. "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland", 2006-2012. Warsaw, NIPH-NIH and CSI). RESULTS: In Poland in 2012 there was observed decrease in the number of infections intoxications both of bacterial and viral origin. It was recorded only one case of trichinellosis. There were reported 491 outbreaks of foodborne poisonings or infections included 5 774 people, among them 718 children 1-14 years old. Out of them 1 364 people were hospitalized. Unlike last year, the predominant etiological agent in those outbreaks were zoonotic Salmonella serotypes which caused 38.1% outbreaks and 26.7% outbreak cases. The viruses have caused 27.1% of outbreaks and 36.2% of cases. In 23.8% of outbreaks etiological agent has not been established. Most often the settings of an outbreak was a private household - 236 outbreaks and a hospital (84 outbreaks). As in previous years, the most common vehicle of infection were foods prepared with milk and eggs -11.8% of outbreaks and egg dishes - 9.0%. In 57.6% of oubreaks vehicle of infection has not been established. Among outbreaks reported in 2012, there were 4 which involved more than 100 people. In 163 outbreaks of food items had been tested and in 33% of them the results were positive. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing negative results of bacteriological examinations of food items, suggested necessity to start testing food contamination with viruses.

Foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2011.

THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess the epidemiological situation of food poisoning and infections in Poland in 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The assessment was based on information from the forms of the epidemiological investigations in outbreaks of foodborne poisoning and infections, sent by the sanitary-epidemiological stations to the Department of Epidemiology, NIPH-NIH (NIZP-PZH) and the results of the analysis of annual bulletins (Czarkowski MP et al. "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland"- 2005 - 2011. Warsaw, NIZP-PZH and GIS). RESULTS: In 2011 it was observed decrease in the number of infections and food poisoning of bacterial etiology and steady marked increase in the incidence of those of viral etiology, classified as "viral and other intestinal infections." In 2011 there were registered 490 outbreaks of poisoning / infection of food, which had affected 6 386 people, including 1,718 children under 14. Among them 1364 people required hospitalization. The predominant etiologic factor in outbreaks were viruses - 36.5% of outbreaks and 40.6% of cases then zoonotic Salmonella types - 35.5% of outbreaks and 27.8% of cases. In 22.2% of outbreaks etiological factor was not established. Most of the outbreaks occurred in households - 235 and in hospital - 118. As in previous years, the most common carrier of infection was food prepared from milk and eggs -11.4% of outbreaks and egg only dishes - 9.8%. In more than 61% of outbreaks etiologic factor has not been established. In 2011, there were five outbreaks, in which got ill 100 people or more. CONCLUSION: Since the seasonality of outbreaks of unknown etiologic factor is similar to outbreaks of viral etiology; they occur in the autumn and winter, one should pay special attention to the testing samples taken for viral agents.