Global foodborne infections network (GFN): An opportunity for capacity-building in enteric diseases in India

Introduction: The Global Foodborne Infections Network (GFN), launched in 2000, is a capacity building program designed to strengthen laboratory-based foodborne disease surveillance in resource-poor countries or regions. GFN is comprised of eleven institutional partners that provide both technical and financial support. In 2012, GFN coordinated the first foodborne disease strategic meeting at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in New Delhi, India. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a time frame for the creation of a novel foodborne disease surveillance system in India. Methods: The strategic meeting was held at NCDC headquarters in New Delhi, India from January 18-20, 2012 in collaboration with the CDC Global Disease Detection (GDD) India office. Participants of the meeting included, representatives from NCDC, U.S. CDC, FDA, WHO headquarters, Indian state surveillance and laboratory officers from four states (Gujurat, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Rajasthan), as well as central food laboratory officials from Pune and Mysore. Results: Forty seven individuals participated in the meeting. The group worked together to create a framework document for a foodborne disease surveillance system in India from both the epidemiological and microbiological perspectives. The final outcome resulted in the development of a plan for a sentinel foodborne surveillance system to be piloted in four Indian states. Conclusion: The framework document offers insight to inform future public health efforts intended to increase enteric disease activity in India. Utilizing the GFN platform, workshops for state epidemiologists and microbiologists will take place in February and April 2013 with close follow-up.