[Foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2005]

A total of 20,072 bacterial foodborne infections and intoxications were registered in 2005 (incidence 52.6/100 000 population). These illnesses were less incident in 2005, compared to the median 1998-2002 (26 734 cases). Unlike bacterial infections, the incidence of viral foodborne infections increased in the recent years (2005--32.8 vs. 2004--27.2, 2003--21.1 and median 1998-2002--10.0). The parasitic foodborne infections did not change much during the recent years. There were 10 deaths related to foodborne infections or intoxications registered in 2005, of which the following etiologic agents were established: Salmonella Enteritidis (2) Clostridium botulinum (1), Campylobacter (1), other bacteria (5), and E. multilocularis infestation (1). A total of 394 foodborne infections and intoxications involving 5838 cases were reported in 2005 (only outbreaks involving 4 person or more) and 211 foodborne (involving 2-3 persons). S. Enteritidis was the most prevalent etiological agent in outbreaks (62.7% of outbreaks 55.4% cases in outbreaks). The main vehicle of foodborne outbreaks in 2005 were food prepared from various (>3) raw materials of animal sources (22.5% cases in outbreaks) and meals from milk and eggs (27.4% cases in outbreaks). Private homes were the most prevalent among the places of food contamination (22.1% of outbreaks). The tree epidemics with 100 or more cases each, were registered (two caused by S. Enteritidis and one by unknown bacterial agent) involved 576 cases. Five deaths were noted in outbreaks in 2005 (3--in the results of mushroom toxin and 2--in the result of S. Thypimurium infections).