Effect of prevention measures on incidence of human listeriosis, France, 1987-1997.
To assess the impact of preventive measures by the food industry, we analyzed food monitoring data as well as trends in the incidence of listeriosis estimated through three independent sources: the National Reference Center of Listeriosis; a laboratory-based active surveillance network; and two consecutive nationwide surveys of public hospital laboratories. From 1987 to 1997, the incidence of listeriosis decreased by an estimated 68%. A substantial reduction in the proportion of Listeria monocytogenes-contaminated products was observed at the retail level. The temporal relationship between prevention measures by the food industry, reduction in L. monocytogenes-contaminated foodstuffs, and reduction in listeriosis incidence suggests a causal relationship and indicates that a substantial part of the reduction in illness is related to prevention efforts.
Goulet
V
V
Department of Infectious Diseases, Institut de Veille Sanitaire, Saint-Maurice, France. v.goulet@invs.sante.fr
de Valk
H
H
Pierre
O
O
Stainer
F
F
Rocourt
J
J
Vaillant
V
V
Jacquet
C
C
Desenclos
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies