The number of human cases of the three most reported zoonotic infections
was lower in 2008 than in 2007. This is according to the Annual Report
on Zoonoses and Food-borne outbreaks for 2008 published by the European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease
Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Campylobacteriosis remained the most
frequently reported zoonotic infection in humans across the European
Union, with 190,566 cases notified in 2008 (down from 200,507 in 2007).
In foodstuffs, Campylobacter, which can cause diarrhoea and fever, was
mostly found in raw poultry meat. In live animals, Campylobacter was
found in poultry, pigs and cattle.
Decline in S. enteritidis
Salmonella,
the second most reported zoonotic infection in humans, decreased
significantly for the fifth consecutive year, with131,468 cases in 2008
compared to 151,998 in 2007, representing a 13.5% decrease. It remained
however the most frequent cause of food borne outbreaks. Salmonella was
found most frequently in raw chicken, turkey and pig meat. In animal
populations, an important decline of the Salmonella type Enteritidis
–the type most frequently affecting humans – was observed in laying hen
flocks.
EU programme on Salmonella
2008
was the first year in which EU Member States implemented a new
programme put in place by the EU Commission to reduce the prevalence of
Salmonella in laying hens; 20 Member States have already met their
reduction target for that year. This could be the reason for a decrease
of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in humans, since eggs are known to
be the most important source for these infections, the report said.
Listeria
With 1,381
confirmed cases in 2008, Listeria infections showed a decrease of 11%
compared to 2007. Although less frequent in humans compared to
Campylobacter and Salmonella, Listeria is known to have a high mortality
rate, the most affected being vulnerable groups such as the elderly. In
foodstuffs, the study found Listeria above the legal safety limit in
some ready-to-eat foods, mostly in smoked fish and heat-treated meat
products and cheeses.
Q fever
Reported cases
of Q fever in humans increased from 585 in 2007 to 1,599 in 2008[4].
This disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii results mainly
from the inhalation of contaminated dust around infected cattle, sheep
and goats. Q fever causes flu-like and gastrointestinal symptoms such as
fever and diarrhoea. In animals, the highest infection rates were
reported in goats.
VTEC
Verotoxigenic
Escherichia coli (VTEC) accounted for a total of 3,159 human infections
in the EU, representing nearly a 9% increase from the previous year.
Among animals and foodstuffs, VTEC was most often reported in cattle and
bovine meat. The number of cases of Yersinia in humans in 2008 was
8,346, a 7% decrease from 2007, with the bacterium found mostly in pigs
and pig meat.