Epidemiology

Abstract

In the UK, a marked increase has been observed in the reported incidence of food poisoning since the mid-1960s, a phenomenon also seen in most other countries of Europe and in North America. Throughout the 1980s salmonellosis, Campylobacter enteritis, listeriosis and haemorrhagic colitis due to verotoxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli (VTEC) in particular were reported with increasing frequency. Whether the increase was real or due to better reporting and improved surveillance is uncertain. Nevertheless, a significant increase has been observed worldwide in the reported incidence of food poisoning, in particular salmonellosis due to Salmonella enteritidis and Campylobacter enteritis.