New Report on Foodborne Disease Outbreaks

Sep 27, 2019 | Michelle Shapiro

In 2017, 841 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a recently released annual summary from the Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System. The data come from reports submitted by state, local, and territorial public health agencies to the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS), a platform for reporting enteric (gut) disease outbreaks due to food, water, animals and their environments, and from person-to-person transmission.

Although most foodborne illnesses are not part of a recognized outbreak, outbreaks provide important information on the germs, toxins, and chemicals that cause illness and the implicated foods.

Here are the main findings:

  • Reported foodborne disease outbreaks resulted in 14,481 illnesses, 827 hospitalizations, 20 deaths, and recalls of 14 food products.
  • Norovirus was the most frequently reported confirmed cause, with 140 outbreaks and 4,092 outbreak-associated illnesses.
  • Salmonella was the second most common, with 113 outbreaks and 3,007 outbreak-associated illnesses.
  • Restaurants were linked to outbreaks more often than any other place where food was prepared, as in previous reports. Restaurants were associated with 489 outbreaks, accounting for 64% of outbreaks that had a single location where food was prepared. Most of these restaurant outbreaks (366) occurred at establishments with sit-down dining.
  • The food categories responsible for the most outbreak-associated illnesses were:
    • Turkey (609 illnesses)
    • Fruits (521)
    • Chicken (487)
    • Pork (376)

See other report highlights >

Read the full report [PDF, 15 pages] >


636530147572900000

About Michelle Shapiro

Michelle Shapiro was formerly a communication specialist for the Environmental Health & Disability team at NACCHO.

More posts by Michelle Shapiro

Related Posts

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

You’re invited to join the call on April 2 to hear more.

Mar 25, 2024

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

2024 Vector Workshop SM photo 1
  • Tools & Resources
  • Extreme Weather
  • Opportunity
  • Technical Assistance

Join us in Florida for the 2024 Vector Control Hurricane...

An agenda-at-a-glance is now available.

Mar 12, 2024 | Anu Varma

Join us in Florida for the 2024 Vector Control Hurricane...

Produce vegetables grocery store i Stock 813211264
  • Food Safety & Inspection

Illinois Retail Program Standards Self-Assessment and...

A two-and-a-half-day, in-person workshop.

Mar 04, 2024 | Christina Rohland, Carolyn White

Illinois Retail Program Standards Self-Assessment and...

Lessons Learned From Local Health Departments
  • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Meeting the Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness...

Article in March 2024 issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and...

Feb 09, 2024 | Rebecca Rainey

Meeting the Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness...

Vector control workshop 2019 4
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Tools & Resources
  • Opportunity
  • Training

2024 Vector Control Hurricane Crisis Workshop:...

Local vector control programs in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and...

Feb 08, 2024 | Anu Varma

2024 Vector Control Hurricane Crisis Workshop:...

Updates on Lead/Chromium in Applesauce: CDC Call on...

Join the CDC on February 8, 2024, at 2pm EST.

Feb 06, 2024

Updates on Lead/Chromium in Applesauce: CDC Call on...

Pool checklist
  • Tools & Resources
  • Webinar
  • Community Health
  • Water Quality

[Webinar] Using Environmental Health Data to Inform Pool...

Model Aquatic Health Code Network Webinar - February 2024.

Jan 29, 2024 | Rebecca Rainey

[Webinar] Using Environmental Health Data to Inform Pool...

Doctor Research Tools Preparedness

Please Share with Clinicians: Updated PFAS Information...

Updated information for clinicians to consider when seeing patients who have...

Jan 18, 2024 | Guest Author

Please Share with Clinicians: Updated PFAS Information...

I Stock 1354439496
  • Tools & Resources
  • COVID-19

Lessons Learned from NACCHO’s Wastewater Surveillance...

Read our new report to learn about the background and activities of each...

Jan 18, 2024 | Rebecca Rainey

Lessons Learned from NACCHO’s Wastewater Surveillance...

Back to Top