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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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Synopsis for March 17, 2000
MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. E.S.T. Thursdays.
- Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Foodborne Illnesses Selected Sites, United States, 1999
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Panama, 19992000
- Outbreaks of Norwalk-like Viral Gastroenteritis Alaska and Wisconsin, 1999
| Surveillance Summary
Surveillance for Foodborne-Disease Outbreaks United States, 19931997
March 17, 2000/Vol. 49/No. SS1
Contact: Division of Media Relations
CDC, Office of Communication
(404) 6393286
This report is a summary of over 2700 foodborne outbreaks which occurred in the United States from 1993 to 1997. Salmonella
Enteritidis accounted for the largest number of outbreaks, and most of these were due to eating contaminated eggs. Multi-state outbreaks
caused by contaminated produce and outbreaks caused by E. coli O157 were also prominent. The outbreak data provide information on
specific foods implicated in human illness and complement FoodNet data on individual illnesses. Together, these data indicate that
additional prevention measures are needed throughout the food chain. The 70-page report will be available online (after 4 p.m. Thursday)
at http://www2.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_ss.html |
Synopsis for March 17, 2000
Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Foodborne Illnesses Selected Sites, United States, 1999
Preliminary 1999 FoodNet data shows declines for several foodborne diseases under surveillance.
PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations
CDC, Office of Communication
(404) 6393286 |
The 19% decline in bacterial foodborne infections from 1997 to 1999 suggests nearly a million bacterial illnesses were prevented in 1999. This
indicates that progress is being made towards reducing the marked burden of foodborne illness. Nonetheless, more work needs to be done. Campylobacter
continued its decline, decreasing 19% from 1998 to 1999. Poultry is the most common source of Campylobacter infections. Shigella
demonstrated a 44% decline from 1998 to 1999. Following decreasing rates in previous years, Salmonella increased from 1998 to 1999;
this varied by region and serotype. Rates for the most common serotype, Salmonella Typhimurium, remained constant. Rates for Salmonella
Enteritidis, the second most common serotype, frequently associated with eggs, continued a several year decline.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Panama, 19992000
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe but rare disease, is characterized by rapid onset of difficulty breathing or sudden death.
PRESS CONTACT:
Paul Kitsutani, M.D.
CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
(404) 6391511 |
In mid-January, CDC received reports of unexplained deaths in Los Santos Province, Panama. The subsequent investigation identified 12 adult
cases; 3 deaths. CDC has confirmed six of the cases by laboratory testing for HPS. There was an increase in rainfall during Fall/Winter 1999
that may have led to increased numbers of rodents. Flooding, following these rains, may have increased the rodent population around homes. A
team of researchers from CDC, the Panamanian Ministry of Health, the Gorgas Commemorative Institute for Health Studies, and the Pan-American
Health Organization are currently in Panama conducting the outbreak investigation. This is the first outbreak of HPS in Central America. HPS, a
rodent-borne disease, will continue to cause outbreaks throughout the Americas. To prevent this disease, people should avoid contact with
rodents and rodent excrement.
Outbreaks of Norwalk-like Viral Gastroenteritis Alaska and Wisconsin, 1999
Norwalk-like viruses" (NLVs) are the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis in the United States.
PRESS CONTACT:
Alan Ramsey, M.D., M.P.H. & T.M.
CDC, Epidemic Intelligence Service
(608) 2679004 |
NLVs cause as many as 96% of all nonbacterial outbreaks. Illnesses due to NLVs affect approximately 23 million persons per year in the United
States and most are caused by foodborne or person-to-person transmission. In the Alaska outbreak, at least 191 persons developed acute
gastroenteritis at a company luncheon after eating potato salad contaminated by a single ill food handler. In Wisconsin, 19 of 36 dorm residents
fell ill after returning from Thanksgiving break as NLV was transmitted from person to person. Basic sanitary measures, such as diligent
handwashing, can prevent both foodborne and person-to-person transmission. In addition, ill workers should be excluded from food handling, and
food preparers should minimize direct contact with ready-to-eat foods. Persons who live in shared quarters and use communal bathroom facilities
should pay particular attention to good hygienic practices.
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