A summary of reported foodborne disease incidents in Sweden, 1992 to 1997

Reports of foodborne disease incidents in Sweden from 1992 to 1997 are summ arized. The results are based on reports from the municipal environmental a nd public health authorities to the National Food Administration and from m edical authorities to the Swedish Institute for Infectious Diseases Control . A total of 555 incidents, of which 84% were outbreaks, were reported, inv olving 11,076 ill people. In 66% of the incidents, no disease agent was det ermined. Bacterial agents were implicated in 25% and viruses in 8% of the i ncidents. Calicivirus was the most reported agent both in terms of incident s and cases. Mixed dishes was the food category most often implicated in ou tbreaks, and smorgasbord and casserole or stews were the subcategories that caused the most cases. The place of consumption was unknown in 8% of the i ncidents. In about 60% of the incidents, the implicated food was consumed i n commercial food establishments; in approximately 20% of incidents, it was consumed at home. The average annual incidence of reported foodborne disea se in Sweden was estimated to be 21 cases per 100,000. The average annual i ncidence of reported foodborne salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis was est imated to be 2.0 and 0.6 cases per 100,000, respectively. The awareness and motivation to report foodborne diseases need to be improved, but additiona l sources of information are needed to counteract some of the limitations o f reporting discussed in this work.