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Title: Food-borne Zoonoses

Author
item Cray, Paula

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2007
Publication Date: 2/23/2007
Citation: Cray, P.J. 2007. Food-borne Zoonoses. International Meeting on Emerging Diseases and Surveillance. February 23-25, 2007, Veinna Austria. p.51 5.004.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Background: The awareness of food borne illness has shifted over the years as international agribusiness and transportation have steadily increased. At least 30 food borne agents have been identified, with one-third emerging in the last 3 decades. Despite an increased emphasis on control measures, the estimated annual burden of illness remains high in both developed and developing countries. Methods: Control measures have offered only limited success and no single reliable intervention has been successful in eliminating any zoonotic illness. Surveillance is central for the control of food borne disease. Globally, this requires an integrated farm-to-fork approach including harmonization of program goals, methodology and reporting. Risk assessments have been undertaken in a number of countries to quantify the burden of food borne related illness. However, these estimates are often hampered by a lack of data as well as a continued inability to link outbreaks to specific food sources. Results: An increased awareness of the complexity of the problem has resulted in greater coordination and communication between and within countries. While a farm-to-fork approach must be maintained, increasing efforts must also be applied to understand the impact imparted by other ecological factors including waterways, wildlife, and migratory bird populations. Conclusions: Food borne illness is a complex issue and the burden is spread across the farm-to-fork continuum. Vigilant efforts, new paradigms, and sensitive methods are required to provide more precise estimates of the burden associated with food borne disease. Additionally, enhanced efforts must also be directed to accurately determine the source (food, animal, human and/or ecologic) of food borne illness through attribution studies.