Epidemiological Features of Foodborne Disease Outbreaks in Catering Service Facilities—China,2010–2020

Introduction:In terms of food preparation settings,catering service facilities have been identified as locations with the highest incidence of foodborne disease outbreaks in China.Since 2010,the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment has established the Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System(FDOSS)to monitor foodborne disease outbreaks.Consequently,data from the FDOSS has provided a more accurate depiction of the epidemic characteristics of outbreaks within these facilities.Methods:From 2010 to 2020,the FDOSS gathered data related to the prevalence of outbreaks,cases,hospitalizations,and deaths linked to foodborne disease outbreaks in catering service facilities.This study examined the temporal and geographical distribution,pathogenic factors,and contributing variables of these outbreaks over the course of the decade.Results:From 2010 to 2020,China’s catering service facilities reported 18,331 outbreaks,which resulted in 206,718 illnesses,68,561 hospitalizations,and 201 deaths.The second and third quarters of the year accounted for 76.12%of the outbreaks and 72.93%of the cases.The primary pathogenic factors were pathogenic organisms,which caused 4,883(26.64%)outbreaks,94,047(45.50%)cases,32,170(46.92%)hospitalizations,and 21(10.45%)deaths.There were 5,607(30.59%)outbreaks in restaurants,2,876(15.69%)outbreaks from street vendors,and 2,560(13.97%)outbreaks in employee canteens in China.Conclusions:The implementation of relevant control methods,including health education and promotion,is critical for addressing foodborne diseases in catering service facilities.Regular food safety training sessions for restaurant personnel and managers are essential to ensuring the effective management of these health risks.

Characteristics of Settings and Etiologic Agents of Foodborne Disease Outbreaks—China,2020

Introduction:Foodborne diseases are a growing public health problem and have caused a large burden of disease in China.This study analyzed epidemiological characteristics of foodborne diseases in China in 2020 to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control measures.Methods:Data were collected from 30 of 31 provincial-level administrative divisions(PLADs)in the mainland of China,excluding Xizang(Tibet)Autonomous Region,via the National Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System・The number and proportion of outbreaks,illnesses,hospitalizations,deaths by setting,pathogen-food category pairs and etiology were calculated.Results:In 2020,7,073 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported,resulting in 37,454 illnesses and 143 deaths.Among the identified pathogens,microbial pathogens were the most common confirmed etiology,accounting for 41.7%of illnesses.Poisonous mushrooms caused the largest proportion of outbreaks(58.0%)and deaths(57.6%).For venues where foodborne disease outbreaks occur,household had the highest number of outbreaks(4,140)and deaths(128),and catering service locations caused the largest proportion of illnesses(59.9%).Outbreaks occurring between June and September accounted for 62.8%of total outbreaks.Conclusions:Foodborne disease outbreaks mainly occurred in households・Microbial pathogens remained the top cause of outbreak-associated illnesses.Poisonous mushrooms were ranked the top cause of deaths in private homes in China.The supervision and management of food safety and health education should be strengthened to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases・Publicity should be increased to reduce the incidence of mushroom poisonings in families,and supervision and management of food should be strengthened to reduce microbial contamination.