Travel-associated salmonella and campylobacter gastroenteritis in England: estimation of under-ascertainment through national laboratory surveillance.
Increased international travel raises the importance of accurate surveillance of travel-associated gastroenteric pathogens to improve treatment and the investigation of cross-border outbreaks. This study found that 45% of Salmonella and 17% of Campylobacter infections in England were travel-associated, but only 29 and 3% of travel histories were accurately identified by national laboratory surveillance. More structured data collection forms and staff training may be needed to address this.
Department of Gastrointestinal, Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, UK. dominik.zenner@hpa.org.uk
Dominik
D
Zenner
Iain
I
Gillespie
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000208:ethnology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014195:Travel; D055815:Young Adult