Trends in Foodborne Illness in the District of Columbia 2003-2007

Background: Foodborne illness surveillance is a vital component of local and national initiatives to monitor and improve food safety in the United States. Analyses of foodborne illness trends can aid local decision makers in the District of Columbia in quantifying the progress of local initiatives.

Aim: To describe the burden (morbidity) and trends of foodborne illness (FI) in the District of Columbia between 2003 and 2007.

Methods: Routinely available surveillance data and syndromic surveillance data for gastrointestinal illness were collected and reported case totals calculated to estimate the burden and trends of FI in the District of Columbia. Adjustments were made for underestimation of FI through local surveillance and for foreign travel/residence. The final estimates were compared with those from the United States as a whole.

Results: In 2003 there were an estimated 217 laboratory-confirmed cases of FI in the District of Columbia. By 2007 this had fallen to 179 cases, a decrease of 17.5%. In terms of disease burden the most important pathogens were giardias, salmonellas, shigellas, Cryptosporidium parvums. When comparing the frequency of cases of food-related illness in the USA with those in the District of Columbia from 2003-2006 the numbers were fairly consistent per 100,000 people, with the exception of 2004, when the District of Columbia surpassed the USA in FI per 100,000 people.

Conclusion: Reducing FI in the District of Columbia will require a significant effort to reduce occurrences of indigenous giardia and salmonella infections. This effort should take note of similar efforts nationwide.