Preliminary FoodNet data on the incidence of foodborne illnesses--selected sites, United States, 2001.

An estimated 76 million persons contract foodborne illnesses each year in the United States. CDC's Emerging Infections Program Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) collects data about 10 foodborne diseases in nine U.S. sites to quantify and monitor foodborne illnesses. This report describes preliminary surveillance data for 2001 and compares them with 1996-2000 data. The data show a decrease in the major bacterial foodborne illnesses, indicating progress toward meeting the national health objectives of reducing the incidence of foodborne diseases by 2010. However, the data do not show a sustained decline in some infections, indicating that increased efforts are needed to reduce further the incidence of foodborne illnesses.