The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have published their annual report on zoonoses (1) and food-borne outbreaks in the European Union for 2009. The report shows Salmonella cases in humans fell by 17% in 2009, marking a decrease for the fifth consecutive year. The report also shows that between 2008 and 2009 the number of laying hen flocks infected with Salmonella (2) fell by 9%.
Campylobacteriosis remained the most reported zoonotic disease in humans, showing a slight increase with 198,252 cases in 2009 compared to 190,566 in 2008 (+4%). In foodstuffs, Campylobacter, which can cause diarrhoea and fever, was mostly found in raw poultry meat; and in live animals, it was found in poultry, pigs and cattle.
To read the full press release please click on this link:http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/zoonoses110322.htm?WT.mc_id=EFSAHL01&emt=1
(1) Zoonoses are infections and diseases that are transmissible directly or indirectly between animals and humans, for instance by consuming contaminated foodstuffs or contact with infected animals.
(2) In particular, Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium, which are the strains that mostly affect humans and are targeted by EU control programmes.
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