Estimating the Burden of Acute Gastroenteritis, Foodborne Disease, and Pathogens Commonly Transmitted by Food: An International Review

Abstract

The burden of foodborne disease is not well defined in many countries or regions or on a global level. The World Health Organization (WHO), in conjunction with other national public health agencies, is coordinating a number of international activities designed to assist countries in the strengthening of disease surveillance and to determine the burden of acute gastroenteritis. These data can then be used to estimate the following situations: (1) the burden associated with acute gastroenteritis of foodborne origin, (2) the burden caused by specific pathogens commonly transmitted by food, and (3) the burden caused by specific foods or food groups. Many of the scientists collaborating with the WHO on these activities have been involved in quantifying the burden of acute gastroenteritis on a national basis. This article reviews these key national studies and the international efforts that are providing the necessary information and technical resources to derive national, regional, and global burden of disease estimates.

Keywords

Affiliated Institutions

• Public Health Agency of Canada CA
• Australian National University AU
• University of the Southern Caribbean TT
• National Center for Infectious Diseases US
• Australian Government AU
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention US
• National Institute for Public Health and the Environment NL
• Leipzig University DE
• Department of Health and Aged Care AU
• World Health Organization CH
• Ministry of Health JO
• Government of Western Australia Department of Health AU

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