Surveillance for foodborne disease outbreaks in Zhejiang Province, China, 2015-2020

Lili Chen; Liang Sun; Ronghua Zhang; Ningbo Liao; Xiaojuan Qi; Jiang Chen

doi:10.1186/s12889-022-12568-4

Surveillance for foodborne disease outbreaks in Zhejiang Province, China, 2015-2020

BMC Public Health. 2022 Jan 19;22(1):135. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-12568-4.

Authors

Lili Chen¹, Liang Sun¹, Ronghua Zhang¹, Ningbo Liao², Xiaojuan Qi¹, Jiang Chen³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Binsheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou City, 310051, Zhejiang Province, China.
² College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China.
³ Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Binsheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou City, 310051, Zhejiang Province, China. jchen@cdc.zj.cn.

Abstract

Background: Foodborne diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and a major public health problem worldwide. We aim to explore characteristics of foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) in Zhejiang Province and to provide data support for foodborne disease prevention and control. To our knowledge, few such analyses have been published at the provincial level.

Methods: Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data reported by centers for disease control (CDC) at all levels in Zhejiang Province through Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System (FDOSS) during 2015-2020.

Results: A total of 962 FBDOs were reported during this period, resulting in 8324 illnesses, 1028 hospitalizations, and 20 deaths. The number of outbreaks (410 outbreaks, 42.62%) and cases (4991 cases, 59.96%) caused by bacteria were the largest, followed by poisonous mushrooms (157 outbreaks, 587 cases), which was the main cause of death (15 deaths, 75%). The highest number of FBDOs occurred in households (381 outbreaks, 39.60%), followed by restaurants (219 outbreaks, 22.77%) and canteens (174 outbreaks, 18.08%). Animal-based foods were the most common single food reported (232 outbreaks, 24.12%), followed by poisonous mushrooms (162 outbreaks, 16.84%), and plant-based foods (133 outbreaks, 13.83%). Poisonous mushrooms took the first place in outbreaks in households (38.32%, 146/381), while bacteria took the first place in outbreaks outside households. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was responsible for the largest number of outbreaks (232 outbreaks, 24.12%), which mainly occurred in catering service units (93.10%, 216/232). Different types of bacteria tended to be found in different food categories, such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which was mainly found in aquatic products.

Conclusions: Analysis of FBDOs can provide insight into the most important pathogens and sources of foodborne disease, helping authorities identify high-risk etiologies, high-risk foods, and high-risk settings to guide policies that would reduce FBDOs.

Keywords: Foodborne disease outbreak; Poisonous mushroom; Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Bacteria
China / epidemiology
Disease Outbreaks
Foodborne Diseases* / etiology
Humans
Population Surveillance*
Public Health