Foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2006

: A total of 17 157 bacterial foodborne infections and intoxications were registered in 2006 (incidence 45/100 000 population). Unlike bacterial infections, the incidence of viral foodborne infections increased in the recent years (2006 - 54.21 vs. 2005 - 32.8, 2004 - 27.2, 2003 - 21.1 and median 1998-2002 - 10.0). The parasitic foodborne infections did not change much during the recent years. There were 11 deaths related to foodborne infections or intoxications registered in 2006, of which the following etiologic agents were established: Salmonella Enteritidis (4), other bacteria (4), other virus (1) and E. multilocularis infestation (2). In 2006 were notified of 385 foodborne infections and intoxications involving 6839 cases (only outbreaks involving 4 person or more) and 170 foodborne (involving 2-3 persons). S. Enteritidis were/was the most frequency etiological agent in outbreaks ((51.2% of outbreaks, 39.8% cases in outbreaks). The main vehicle of foodborne outbreaks in 2006 were food prepared from milk and eggs (26.0% of outbreaks, 16.1% cases in outbreaks) and meals various (> 3) raw materials of animal sources (22.5% cases in outbreaks). Private homes prevailed among places the places of food contamination (17.4% of outbreaks). In 2006 the seven epidemics with 100 or more cases each, were registered involved 953 cases.