A new paper from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Attribution of Foodborne Illnesses, Hospitalizations, and Deaths to Food Commodities By Using Outbreak Data, United States, 1998-2008 is being published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal. For the first time, the CDC developed a comprehensive set of estimates using data from more than a decade of foodborne disease outbreaks and previously published estimates on how many illnesses can be attributed to each food category.
The paper provides a historical baseline of estimates that will be further refined over time with more data and improved methods. It builds on the estimates of foodborne illness published in 2011 that told the CDC that about 48 million people (1 in 6) get sick each year from food. More than 9 million of these illnesses are caused by major pathogens the CDC tracks. The paper focuses on known causes of illness and uses data from nearly 4600 outbreaks to estimate the number of illnesses that can be attributed to each of 17 food categories (called commodities in the paper). It also provides a foundation for priority setting for food safety interventions, policy development, research, and analyses for CDC and its regulatory partners, Food and Drug Administration and USDA/Food Safety and Inspection Services.
This paper may be accessed online by visiting the Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal web site at: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/EID/article/19/3/11-1866.htm
For additional information on this study, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/foodborneburden/index.html
For more information about foodborne illnesses, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.