title: Foodborne botulism in Poland in 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this article is to assess the epidemiology of foodborne botulism in Poland in 2012 compared to previous years, using national surveillance data.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed surveillance data published in the annual bulletin "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2012" and in previous publications, and botulism case reports for 2012 sent to the Department of Epidemiology NIPH-NIH by Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2012, a total of 22 foodborne botulism cases (including 9 laboratory confirmed cases) was reported, corresponding to the lowest annual incidence rate (0.06 per 100 000 population) since the introduction of botulism as mandatory notifiable disease. The highest incidence in the country was reported in Lubelskie (0.23) and Wielkopolskie (0.20). Incidence in rural areas (0.07 per 100 000 population) was slightly higher than the incidence in urban areas (0.05). Men had more than 2 times higher incidence than women; the highest incidence rate (0.20 per 100 000 population) was observed among men in the age group of 30-39 years. Most cases were associated with consumption of different types of commercially canned meat. Commercially canned fish was also a common vehicle. All cases were hospitalized. One death related to the disease was reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 2012, in Poland a downward trend in the incidence of foodborne botulism was maintained. From the point of view of national surveillance, it is necessary to increase the percentage of cases investigated with laboratory tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH) in Warsaw.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czerwiński
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH) in Warsaw.
authors.forename: Mirosław P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Czarkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH) in Warsaw.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kondej
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001906:Botulism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 2012; Poland; botulism; epidemiology; food poisoning