Foodborne infections and gastrointestinal disease

• Project start date: 1 January 2005
• Project status: Completed
• Project type: Food safety
• Discipline: Microbiology and food hygiene
• Author/s: Mr Jim Buckley, Cork County Council
• Collaborator/s: Single supplier

Research objective

The objective of the project was to review and analyse clinical surveillance data from Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) regarding foodborne infections and gastrointestinal diseases. It aimed to identify the similarities, differences, and deficiencies in the existing surveillance systems of the two jurisdictions. The ultimate goal was to develop recommendations for harmonising these systems, thereby enhancing food safety across the entire island of Ireland.

Outputs

Research report

• Title: Foodborne infections and gastrointestinal disease on the island Of Ireland in 2002
• Publication date: 6 February 2003
• Summary: This report is an examination and review of the clinical surveillance data collected in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
• Findings:
  • Discrepancies exist in the lists of notifiable diseases between NI and ROI.
  • Different case definitions are used, complicating data comparison.
  • Variations in notification forms and laboratory reporting practices mean inconsistent reporting practices:
  • Limited linkage of clinical and laboratory data.
• Recommendations:

  Enhanced collaboration and harmonisation of surveillance systems between NI and ROI are essential for a more efficient and complete food safety system on the island of Ireland.

  1. Align the lists of notifiable diseases, including key pathogens like Campylobacter and Listeria.
  2. Adopt common case definitions as per EU recommendations.
  3. Implement a standardised notification form with a common dataset for each jurisdiction.
  4. Make laboratory reporting compulsory to ensure comprehensive data collection.
  5. Promote standard laboratory practices across the island.
  6. Enable centralised collection and analysis of line-listings for better data coherence.
  7. Develop electronic reporting systems with common core data fields to facilitate data exchange and enhance completeness.