The number of cases of Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) rose by almost nine per cent, said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in its annual report on zoonotic diseases and food borne outbreaks. The body added that this finding should be viewed with caution as both testing and reporting practices for VTEC varied across the EU.
The agency’s survey once again found Campylobacteriosis was the most frequently reported human zoonotic infection in the EU in 2008, with 190,566 cases. This represented a fall of five per cent - down from 200,507 in 2007. In foodstuffs, Campylobacter was found most in raw poultry meat, while in live animals, the bacteria was found in poultry, pigs and cattle.
The second most reported zoonotic disease was Salmonella, which fell for the fifth consecutive year. The number of reported cases dropped 13.5 per cent to 131,468 in 2008, compared to 151,998 in the previous 12 months. But the disease remained the most frequent cause of foodborne outbreaks – at more than third of the 5,332 incidents recorded. Raw chicken, turkey and pig meat were found to be the foodstuffs to most commonly harbour the bacteria.
Important decline
In animals, there was “an important decline” of Salmonella Enteritis in laying hen flocks, said EFSA. This is significant as this is the strain that most commonly affects humans. The report hypothesized that a new programme introduced in 2008 to reduce Salmonella prevalence in laying hens could be behind the decrease – as eggs are known to be an important source for the infection. Some 20 member states have already met their reduction targets for that year, said the agency.
The number of confirmed Listeria cases fell 11 per cent to 1,381 in 2008 compared to 2007. However, EFSA highlighted that the levels of Listeria in some ready-to-eat foods, particularly smoked fish and heat-treated meat products and cheeses, were “above the legal limit”.
The research revealed that cases of Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) increased by 8.7 per cent in the period - dominated by incidences of E.coli 0157 in children aged 0-4 years. A lack of harmonization on the rates of testing and reporting practices could be behind this jump, with almost 26 per cent not typed at serogroup level, said EFSA.
The report added: “This lack of information regarding VTEC typing and further characterisation, limits the understanding of VTEC distribution in terms of serotypes and possible case clustering.”
VTEC, and especially VTEC 0157 are most commonly found in meat from bovines and other ruminants. This correlates with the finding that 50 per cent of VTEC foodborne outbreaks were linked to bovine meats and their products.
“It is worth noting that the number of Salmonella cases is declining both in animals and humans. The findings in the report support the Commission and Member States in reducing the prevalence of zoonoses in the EU,” said Hubert Deluyker, EFSA’s director of scientific cooperation and assistance.
Foodborne outbreaks
In 2008, there were 5,332 foodbourne outbreaks in the EU, sickening over 45,000 people and causing 32 deaths. Some 35 per cent of these were triggered by Salmonella, with viruses and bacterial toxins detailed as the next most common causes. Eggs and egg products were responsible for almost a quarter of theses outbreaks, while pig meat and related products accounted for 10 per cent. Buffet meals were behind nine per cent of such outbreaks.
A full copy of the report can be viewed via the following link