Epidemiology of foodborne disease outbreaks in South Africa, 2011 – 2020
1
Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
Centre for Enteric Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A631
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Although foodborne disease (FBD) outbreaks are notifiable in South Africa, published literature on FBDs is limited. We reviewed 10 years of FBD outbreak data reported to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) to estimate the burden, describe the epidemiology, and identify contributing factors to FBD outbreaks in the country.
METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective review of records and descriptive analysis of foodborne incidents reported to the NICD from 2011 to 2020. Data were extracted from multiple sources. Duplicates were removed, and data verified. Inclusion criteria for an outbreak were FBD incidents involving ≥2 epidemiologically linked cases to a common meal.
RESULTS:
Over a 10-year period, 892 FBD outbreaks were reported, resulting in more than 24000 cases, 17000 healthcare facility visits, 1300 hospitalisations, and 100 deaths. The number of outbreaks per year ranged from 59 to 153 (median 78), and case numbers from 455 to 3570 (median 2261). Outbreaks occurred throughout the year, with a higher proportion reported in spring and summer. Outbreaks were reported across all nine provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal (39.6%, 329/892) and Gauteng (21.7%, 192/892) accounting for the largest share. Where outbreak setting was indicated, outbreaks in households (35.4%, 235/663) and institutions (31.1%, 206/663) were most common. Recurring contributing factors and risk exposures, including unsafe food storage and poor food-handling practices, were identified. Clinical and/or environmental specimens were collected in 68.2% (608/892) of reported outbreaks, and pathogens were identified in 52.5% (319/608). Nontyphoidal Salmonella was the most common pathogen identified (34.0%, 109/319), followed by Bacillus cereus (31.0%, 99/319).
CONCLUSIONS:
This review demonstrates that FBD incidents are a public health concern in South Africa. Necessary interventions should be implemented to minimise risk exposure and prevent future outbreaks. Targeted health education and promotion activities, together with food safety awareness campaigns, should be conducted regularly in the most affected settings/communities.
Although foodborne disease (FBD) outbreaks are notifiable in South Africa, published literature on FBDs is limited. We reviewed 10 years of FBD outbreak data reported to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) to estimate the burden, describe the epidemiology, and identify contributing factors to FBD outbreaks in the country.
METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective review of records and descriptive analysis of foodborne incidents reported to the NICD from 2011 to 2020. Data were extracted from multiple sources. Duplicates were removed, and data verified. Inclusion criteria for an outbreak were FBD incidents involving ≥2 epidemiologically linked cases to a common meal.
RESULTS:
Over a 10-year period, 892 FBD outbreaks were reported, resulting in more than 24000 cases, 17000 healthcare facility visits, 1300 hospitalisations, and 100 deaths. The number of outbreaks per year ranged from 59 to 153 (median 78), and case numbers from 455 to 3570 (median 2261). Outbreaks occurred throughout the year, with a higher proportion reported in spring and summer. Outbreaks were reported across all nine provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal (39.6%, 329/892) and Gauteng (21.7%, 192/892) accounting for the largest share. Where outbreak setting was indicated, outbreaks in households (35.4%, 235/663) and institutions (31.1%, 206/663) were most common. Recurring contributing factors and risk exposures, including unsafe food storage and poor food-handling practices, were identified. Clinical and/or environmental specimens were collected in 68.2% (608/892) of reported outbreaks, and pathogens were identified in 52.5% (319/608). Nontyphoidal Salmonella was the most common pathogen identified (34.0%, 109/319), followed by Bacillus cereus (31.0%, 99/319).
CONCLUSIONS:
This review demonstrates that FBD incidents are a public health concern in South Africa. Necessary interventions should be implemented to minimise risk exposure and prevent future outbreaks. Targeted health education and promotion activities, together with food safety awareness campaigns, should be conducted regularly in the most affected settings/communities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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