Fewer resources and funding cuts contributing to spike in foodborne illnesses

It's been a bad summer for foodborne illnesses -- from a record-breaking cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce to salmonella infections linked to jalapeños.

The top 3

  1. Norovirus: Leading Cause of Illnesses: Norovirus is the most common cause of foodborne illnesses in the U.S., responsible for an estimated 19-21 million cases of vomiting and diarrhea annually, and 5.5 million domestically acquired foodborne illnesses.
  2. Salmonella: A Frequent Bacterial Threat: Salmonella is a leading bacterial cause of foodborne illness, responsible for an estimated 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the U.S. each year, and is the leading cause of foodborne illness deaths.
  3. Clostridium perfringens: Common in Mass Settings: Clostridium perfringens causes about 1 million foodborne illnesses annually in the U.S., often linked to foods kept at unsafe temperatures in settings like hospitals, schools, and catered events.

Sources

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