Monitoring the Results of Foodborne Diseases in Sentinel Hospitals in Wenzhou City, China from 2014 to 2015

BACKGROUND: To investigate the epidemiologic distribution of foodborne diseases in Wenzhou City from 2014–2015, we analyzed the characteristics and main pathogens of foodborne disease outbreaks to provide a reference for the prevention, control, and early warning of foodborne diseases. METHODS: A total of 9139 patients with foodborne diseases were included in the database of active monitoring from sentinel hospitals in Wenzhou City, China. Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and norovirus in the stool samples collected from patients with foodborne diseases were detected according to national standards. RESULTS: There were 82 cases of Salmonella, 6 cases of Shigella, 393 cases of V. parahaemolyticus, 9 cases of diarrhoeagenic E. coli, and 143 cases of norovirus in the 9139 stool and anal swab samples, for a total detection rate of 6.98%. The peak season in which foodborne diseases occurred was from Jun–Oct. The high-risk populations were the 0–5, 16–25, 26–35, 35–45, and 46–55 yr age groups. Aquatic products accounted for the greatest proportion of suspected food, followed by meat, poultry, fruits, and vegetables. CONCLUSION: V. parahaemolyticus was the main pathogen of foodborne diseases in the Wenzhou urban area; Salmonella and norovirus were also foodborne disease pathogens. To prevent foodborne diseases, it is necessary to strengthen active monitoring, especially the sanitary management of seafood.