FoodNet estimate of the burden of illness caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in the United States.
To determine the burden of Salmonella infections in the United States, Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) investigators conducted population-based active surveillance for culture-confirmed Salmonella infections during 1996-1999 at FoodNet laboratories. In addition, all clinical microbiology FoodNet laboratories were surveyed to determine their practices for isolating Salmonella. Telephone interviews were also conducted among residents of the FoodNet sites to determine the proportion of persons with diarrheal illness who sought medical care and the proportion who submitted stool specimens for bacterial culture. Using our model, we estimated that there were 1.4 million nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in the United States, resulting in 168,000 physician office visits per year during 1996-1999. Including both culture-confirmed infections and those not confirmed by culture, we estimated that Salmonella infections resulted in 15,000 hospitalizations and 400 deaths annually. These estimates indicate that salmonellosis presents a major ongoing burden to public health.
Voetsch
Andrew C
AC
Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Van Gilder
Thomas J
TJ
Angulo
Frederick J
FJ
Farley
Monica M
MM
Shallow
Sue
S
Marcus
Ruthanne
R
Cieslak
Paul R
PR
Deneen
Valerie C
VC
Tauxe
Robert V
RV
D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003625:Data Collection; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology