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Abstract

The public health burden related to norovirus is well described as the leading cause of foodborne outbreaks in the U.S. Norovirus investigations present challenges due to low infectious dose, multiple transmission routes, and the rapid onset and resolution of symptoms. Environmental sampling for norovirus can provide valuable data during public health investigations and lead to targeted education and interventions. In some instances, environmental data could be accessible when other data sources are limited or difficult to collect. We describe use of an environmental sampling strategy during a foodborne outbreak investigation to support the hypothesis for transmission from an ill food worker to restaurant patrons.

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) continues to persist in Mississippi; 2012 was the worse year for human infections, with a total of 247 reported human cases and five deaths. Public health officials are keenly interested in ways to detect WNV in advance in their jurisdictions, so they can implement appropriate and timely mosquito control in affected areas. A total of 40,312 female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected by gravid traps in Mississippi in 2013 and 2014 and tested by VectorTest, a rapid immunochromatographic assay (“dip-stick” test) that is a highly specific and effective rapid threat assessment tool. This study evaluated if and to what extent VectorTest could provide advanced warning of impending human WNV cases in a specific area. These data were examined with regard to date of onset of human WNV cases to determine the predictive value of VectorTest for WNV activity. Both years, positive mosquito pools appeared before the vast majority (87.2%) of reported human cases. Overall, in 27 out of 37 human WNV cases (73.0 %) occurring in our study sites, there was an average advanced warning of 26 days (range 11–53 days) as indicated by positive mosquito collections near the patient’s home. This operational health department study, although somewhat limited, reveals that mosquito sampling and testing can inform public health and mosquito control personnel of WNV activity in an area and of impending human cases.

Public health policy targeting populations at greatest risk can be used to significantly reduce the burden of foodborne disease. This study calculated incidence rates, disability adjusted life years, and quality adjusted life years estimates for salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis, adjusted for underreporting. Investigators then looked at how these measures of disease burden can contribute to the policy debate on the public health significance of foodborne disease. Targeting food safety activities through proactive public health policy and by using underreporting estimates of reported cases of foodborne illness may raise the issue of foodborne disease in the policy agenda.

Abstract

Fermented foods have become a part of our cultural heritage and chefs and retailers seek to offer these tasty foods to their customers. Fermenting foods at the retail food service level, however, is considered a special process under the Food and Drug Administration model Food Code and requires a food safety plan. This special report was developed to assist both operators and regulators in preparing or reviewing a food safety plan for vegetable fermentation, including pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, and fermented vegetable juices.