Analyses of the eFORS (Electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting System) surveillance data (2000-2004) in school settings.
Frequently cited statistics indicate that the burden of foodborne disease is a serious public health problem, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children. The purpose of the descriptive retrospective study discussed in this article was to analyze data collected within the Electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting System (eFORS) in school settings in order to examine the magnitude of foodborne disease etiologies and to recommend strategies for prevention. Data on foodborne outbreaks (N = 96) and illnesses (N = 6,567) were extracted and analyzed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) eFORS spanning the years 2000 to 2004.
Venuto
Margaret
M
USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Alexandria, VA 22302, USA. margaretvenuto@yahoo.com
Halbrook
Brenda
B
Hinners
Marion
M
Lange
Audrina
A
Mickelson
Stephanie
S
D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005502:Food / Q000145:classification; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D029322:Norovirus; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012621:Seasons; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology