Report finds steady fall in food-poisoning cases

Cases of food poisoning caused by diseases transferred from animals to humans are declining steadily, according to figures published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The national zoonoses report released today shows the rate of infections from diseases such as salmonella, tuberculosis and Weil's disease is falling.

Zoonotic diseases are defined as those transmissible from animals to humans. Today's report is the first such study compiled, and it details the rates of infection in 2001 and 2000.

It shows a marked decrease in salmonella from 2000 to 2001. Latest figures from the FSAI show this trend is continuing, with just 363 cases reported in 2002, compared with 428 in 2001 and 640 in 2000.

Dr Wayne Anderson, chief specialist of the FSAI's food science branch, said the report and future reports will help experts control and manage these diseases and protect the public.

However, the report does show cases of the potentially fatal E. coli O157 strain rose from 42 human cases in 2000 to 52 in 2001. Dr Anderson said preliminary results showed there were 69 cases in 2002.

In 2001, there were 1,286 reports of food poisoning cases due to Campylobacter compared to 1,613 in 2000.  Campylobacter is a naturally occurring bacteria found in the intestines of livestock and poultry and is particularly prevalent in unpasturised milk and uncooked poultry.

Dr Anderson urged people who suspect they are suffering from food poisoning to visit their doctor. "Recent studies suggest that only 29 per cent of people suffering from gastroenteritis actually attend the doctor so what we have in our report is possibly only the tip of the iceberg," he said.

The highest rate of infections is during the summer, due to outdoor cooking and increased use of pre-prepared food.

The report was compiled by the FSAI, the National Disease Surveillance Centre and  the Department of Agriculture and Food.