EPIDEMIOLOGIC DESCRIPTION OF FOODBORNE DI SEASE OUTBREAKS IN VALDIVIA, CHILE (1989-1993)

Foodborne diseases are recognized as one of the major causes of morbid ity and mortality in both industrialized and developing countries. In industrialized countries estimates have shown it to have an important cost on the economy. The purpose of this study was to carry out an epi demiologic description of foodborne disease outbreaks in the province of Valdivia. Data from special forms filed in the Department of Enviro nmental Programmes of the Valdivia Health Service were collected. The information was ordered, summarized and presented by means of descript ive epidemiologic methods. During the 1989-1993 period, 39 outbreaks w ere registered in the province of Valdivia involving 607 disease cases . Etiologic agents were confirmed in 74% of the outbreaks, being trich inellosis the causing disease in most of them (28.2%), followed by sco mbroid fish poisoning (20.5%). This contrasted with the information fr om other countries, where bacterial diseases cause most of the outbrea ks, most probably this is a consequence of the emphasis in the reporti ng of trichinellosis and the commercialization of fish in places with inadequate sanitary conditions. Most of the outbreaks occurred during autumn and spring. However the literature establishes that the warmest months are more favourable for the presentation of foodborne diseases . This may be caused by the influence of trichinellosis, of predominan t occurrence during the colder months. Valdivia presented the largest percentage of outbreaks (51.3%). However, in the smaller counties medi um-sized outbreaks were larger, probably due to the fact that counties having less resources only report larger outbreaks which cause public alarm.