Top 5 Takeaways

1. Significant Decrease in Infections: The incidence of infections caused by enteric pathogens decreased by 26% in 2020 compared to 2017–2019.
2. Impact of COVID-19 Interventions: Public health measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission, such as stay-at-home orders and restaurant closures, likely contributed to the decrease in foodborne infections.
3. Changes in Health Care-Seeking Behaviors: The pandemic led to changes in health care delivery and seeking behaviors, potentially affecting the detection of enteric infections.
4. Stable Use of CIDTs: The proportion of infections diagnosed by culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) remained stable, indicating that changes in testing practices were not a major factor in the decreased incidence.
5. Continued Surveillance Needed: Ongoing surveillance is essential to understand the pandemic’s impact on foodborne illnesses and to develop targeted prevention strategies.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Logan C. Ray, nbi9@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Ray LC, Collins JP, Griffin PM, et al. Decreased Incidence of Infections Caused by Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 10 U.S. Sites, 2017–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1332–1336. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7038a4

Summary

This report from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) highlights a 26% decrease in the incidence of infections caused by pathogens commonly transmitted through food in 2020 compared to 2017–2019. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health interventions likely contributed to this decline. The report also notes changes in health care-seeking behaviors and testing practices that may have affected the detection of these infections.

Methods

FoodNet conducts active, population-based surveillance of laboratory-diagnosed infections caused by eight pathogens across 10 U.S. sites. Incidence rates were calculated using 2019 U.S. Census estimates, and a negative binomial model was used to estimate changes in incidence. Surveillance for post-diarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) was conducted through a network of nephrologists and infection preventionists.

Discussion

The significant decrease in foodborne infections during 2020 is attributed to public health interventions aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19. The report discusses the potential impact of reduced health care-seeking behaviors and changes in laboratory testing practices. The stable use of CIDTs suggests that testing practices did not significantly contribute to the observed decrease in infections. The report emphasizes the need for continued surveillance to understand the pandemic’s impact on foodborne illnesses and to develop effective prevention strategies.

Conclusion

The 26% decrease in foodborne infections during 2020 represents the largest single-year variation in incidence in 25 years of FoodNet surveillance. Public health interventions for COVID-19 likely influenced this decline. Continued surveillance and targeted prevention efforts are necessary to reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses. Consumers can also reduce their risk by following safe food-handling and preparation recommendations.

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