Incidence of foodborne illnesses: 1999 data from FoodNet

Foodborne illnesses represent a large burden on the US population and publi c health system. The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNe t) collects data on foodborne diseases in eight US sites. Since 1997, there has been a 19% decline in the incidence of bacterial foodborne infections. The 1999 FoodNet data indicated a 19% decrease in incidence of Campylobact er infections and a 44% decrease in incidence of Shigella infections from 1 998 to 1999. In 1999 the rate of Salmonella infections increased, whereas t he rate of E. coli O157 infections decreased. These declines were concurren t with several interventions, including implementation of mandated changes in meat and poultry processing plants, increased attention to 'good agricul tural practices', and increased consumer awareness.