04/02/2010

Zoonoses are infections and diseases that are naturally transmissible directly or indirectly between animals and humans, for example via contaminated foodstuffs. The severity of these diseases varies from mild symptoms to life-threatening conditions. In order to prevent zoonoses from occurring, it is important to identify which animals and foodstuffs are the main sources of infection. For this purpose information is collected and analysed from all European Union Member States.

In 2008, 27 Member States and four countries that were not EU member states submitted information on the incidence of zoonoses and zoonotic agents to the European Commission, to EFSA and to the ECDC in 2008. EFSA and the ECDC analysed this data and published the results in this annual report.

Some of the most important information contained in the report is as follows:

• The number of the three most reported zoonotic infections was lower in 2008 than in 2007.
• 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 was mostly found in raw poultry meat. In live animals, Campylobacter was found in poultry, pigs and cattle.
• Salmonella, the second most reported zoonotic infection in humans, decreased significantly for the fifth consecutive year, with 131,468 cases in 2008 compared to 151,998 in 2007, representing a 13.5% decrease. It remains, however, the most frequent cause of foodborne outbreaks. Salmonella was found most frequently in raw chicken, turkey and pig meat. The decrease of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in humans could be due to the implementation in the EU of a new programme in 2008 to reduce the prevalence of Salmonella in laying hens. It is worth noting that the number of Salmonella cases is declining both in animals and humans.
• With regard to Listeria, the report shows an 11% decrease in confirmed cases compared to 2007, with 1,381 cases in 2008. Although less frequent than Campylobacter and Salmonella, it has a higher mortality rate, the most affected being vulnerable groups such as the elderly. With regard to contaminated products, the study found Listeria above the legal safety limits in some ready-to-eat foods, mostly in smoked fish and heat-treated meat products and cheeses.
• Reported cases of Q Fever in humans increased from 585 in 2007 to 1,599 in 2008.
• Cases of Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli have also increased, by approximately 9% in recent years, with some 3,159 human infections in 2008.
• The number of cases of Yersinia in humans was 8,346, representing a 7% decrease from 2007. The bacterium was found mostly in pigs and pig meat.

The report also gives an overview of foodborne outbreaks in 2008:

• 5,331 outbreaks were recorded.
• 45,000 people were affected.
• There were 32 deaths.
• Most of the outbreaks were caused by Salmonella followed by viruses and bacterial toxins.
• The most frequent food sources of these outbreaks were eggs and egg products (23%), pig meat and derived products (10%) and buffet meals (9%).

The report covers 15 zoonotic infections and also provides data on brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, rabies and two parasitic zoonoses, trichinosis and echinococcosis.

To keep foods safe from microorganisms, it is recommended to follow good hygiene practices in the preparation of meals and to cook foods thoroughly. More information can be found on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) webpage “Five Keys to Safer Food”.

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/zoonoses100128.htm