Revised illness estimates point to Shigella’s larger role

The United States was among countries with the highest incidence of Salmonella

Updated foodborne infection estimates have suggested a larger burden because of Shigella and a reduced impact from norovirus.

In 2015, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG) published estimates of the incidence and mortality of diarrheal diseases caused by 11 pathogens at global and regional levels in 2010.

The latest study updates figures to 2021 with the addition of Rotavirus, Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). Findings will form part of WHO’s broader estimates of incidence and mortality from foodborne diseases.