Foodborne diseases: a survey on working methods used by 6 Public Health Services in the Lombardy Region. 1. Outbreaks

Since foodborne diseases, especially those caused by bacteria, have become an increasingly important public health problem, the Authors conducted a survey in order to evaluate the organization of, and the intervention carried out by, six Public Health Services in the Lombardia region, after reports of foodborne diseases outbreaks. Lack of correct methodology was detected, not to mention the usual omission of epidemic curves and attack rates. Besides, too many microbiological tests were made and it took too much time to take care of and to report the outbreaks to Regional and National Health Authorities. Forty-one outbreaks were examined: 415 cases occurred (AR: 28.7%), most of which home-made food-related. In 25 outbreaks the suspected food vehicles were eggs or fish, but only 5 of them were confirmed by laboratory tests. Salmonella enterica, either serovar Eenteritidis or group D, appeared responsible for 26 of the outbreaks [corrected].