COPAIA 6. PAHO Regional Plan of Action for Technical Cooperation in Food Safety: Regional strategy for food safety and prevention of foodborne diseases for the Americas (2013-2017)

Abstract

[Context] Foodborne Diseases (FBD) represent a public health problem of increasing importance in the region, both in developed and developing countries. In the Americas, data analysis reported to the Event Management System of the International Health Regulations shows that, from 2002 to the first quarter of 2012, of 969 reported events, 161 were either zoonotic or FBD, accounting for 16,1%, with a trend to increase in the past few years. To February 29, 2012, an accumulated total of 47 events of foodborne confirmed origin had been registered. However, incomplete records regarding FBD cases constitute a major disadvantage when analysing and interpreting data, even in developed countries.