Food Poisoning Information

Foodborne Illness

In Australia it is estimated that there are 5.4 million cases of foodborne illness each year.

Generally foodborne illness is associated with symptoms of gastroenteritis (vomiting and/or diarrhoea), however consumption of contaminated food may cause other, more severe symptoms including meningitis, septicaemia, neurological conditions and hepatitis. Some foodborne illness pathogens may also cause chronic conditions or disease, including reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and Guillain-Barrè syndrome. In some high risk population groups, foodborne illness may be fatal, with 80 deaths occurring each year.

Reasons to investigate clusters or outbreaks of foodborne illness include:

• Identify the causes of foodborne illness and prevent further cases of infection 
• Identify inappropriate practices in the food industry which may lead to food contamination and further cases
• Understand the epidemiology of foodborne disease
• Provide data for risk assessments and policy interventions
• Assist in assessing the burden of foodborne illness on the community
  
  
  
• Information for the public: Are you part of a cluster?
• Information for GPs and Health Professionals