Food Borne Illness Declines in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Apr 14/05 - SNS -- Incidences of food borne illness have declined in the United States, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

For the first time, cases of E. coli O157 infections, one of the most severe foodborne diseases, are below the national Healthy People 2010 health goal. From 1996-2004, the incidence of E. coli O157 infections decreased 42%. Campylobacter infections decreased 31%, Cryptosporidium dropped 40%, and Yersinia decreased 45%.

Overall, Salmonella infections dropped 8%, but only one of the five most common strains declined significantly. Different Salmonella strains are found in a variety of animal hosts and in different geographic locations.

Further efforts are needed to better understand why some Salmonella strains tend to contaminate produce during production and harvest, the agencies said.

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