How is the incidence of infections described by FoodNet influenced by outbreaks of foodborne diseases?
Outbreaks of foodborne diseases can cause the incidence of infections to increase. In 2004, FoodNet began collecting data on which laboratory-confirmed infections were associated with outbreaks. From 2004-2006, between 9% and 23% of E. coli O157 cases each year were associated with outbreaks, and 5-6% of Salmonella cases were associated with outbreaks. FoodNet will continue to collect data on which infections were outbreak-associated. In future years, this will allow FoodNet to comment on how outbreaks have affected the overall incidence of foodborne disease. 4) What do the 2006 FoodNet data tell us about the human health burden of foodborne diseases? The 2006 FoodNet data tell us that incidence of infections caused by E. coli O157 and Salmonella is similar to that during the 1996-1998 baseline years, and Vibrio infections have increased. This indicates that further measures are needed to reduce the human health burden of certain foodborne pathogens. 5) How many cases of foodborne dise
