Preliminary FoodNet data on the incidence of infection with pathogens transmitted commonly through food--selected sites, United States, 2003.

In the United States, an estimated 76 million persons contract foodborne and other acute diarrheal illnesses each year. CDC's Emerging Infections Program Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) collects data on diseases caused by enteric pathogens transmitted commonly through food in nine U.S. sites. FoodNet quantifies and monitors the incidence of these infections by conducting active surveillance for laboratory-diagnosed illness. This report describes preliminary surveillance data for 2003 and compares them with 1996-2002 data. The data indicate substantial declines in the incidence of infections caused by Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium parvum, Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella, and Yersinia enterocolitica. These data represent progress toward meeting the 2010 national health objectives of reducing the incidence of foodborne infections (objective nos. 10.1a, 10.1b, and 10.1d). However, increased efforts are needed to reduce further the incidence of foodborne illnesses, particularly among children.