Aims: To estimate the annual number of cases of infectious intestinal disease caused by foodborne pathogens in New Zealand and estimate the impact of these diseases in terms of days lost to illness.
Methods: Incidence of foodborne diseases were derived from data from infectious disease surveillance and hospital sources, and estimates of unreported illnesses using published population based studies.
Results: The estimated number of cases of foodborne infectious disease is approximately 119 000 per year, including 19 000 general practitioner visits, 400 hospital admissions, 22 cases of long term illness and two deaths. It is estimated that the number of cases of potentially foodborne infectious disease is approximately 199 000. Total number of cases of all infectious intestinal disease could be as high as 823 000. Days of lost production and leisure time activities lost to foodborne infectious disease are estimated as approximately 497 000.
Conclusion: Foodborne infectious diseases represent a major public health burden in terms of the number of cases and days lost to illness.