The OzFoodNet story: 2000 to present day
Michelle Green A and Gerard Fitzsimmons B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Health and Human Services
GPO Box 125
Hobart, Tas 7001, Australia
Tel: +61 3 6222 7627
Fax: +61 3 6222 7744
Email:
michelle.green@dhhs.tas.gov.au
B Zoonoses, Foodborne and Emerging Infectious Diseases Section
Office of Health Protection
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Tel: +61 2 6289 2748
Email:
gerard.fitzsimmons@health.gov.au
Microbiology Australia 34(2) 59-62 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA13021
Published: 13 May 2013
Abstract
OzFoodNet is a network of epidemiologists whose primary interest is foodborne disease. The network is now over 10 years old and in this time, there have been many research studies and outbreak investigations undertaken by the network. A considerable body of published work exists that details the achievements and workings of the OzFoodNet network and the OzFoodNet sites. Lessons have been learnt from outbreak investigations, with improved surveillance systems developed for pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. The work of OzFoodNet plays an important part in informing food safety policy and regulations.
References
[1] Patton, A.W. et al. (1996) Molecular microbiological investigation of an outbreak of haemolytic-uremic syndrome caused by dry fermented sausage contaminated with Shiga-like toxin producing Escherichia coli. J. Clin. Microbiol. 34, 1622–1627.[2] Cameron, A.S. et al. (1995) Community outbreak of haemolytic uremic syndrome attributable to Escherichia coli O111:NM-South Australia, 1995. MMWR 44, 550–551, 557–558.
[3] Hall, G. and Kirk, M. (2005) Foodborne illness in Australia – Annual incidence circa 2000. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
[4] Sk, C. et al. (1996) Foodborne disease: current trends and future surveillance needs in Australia. Med. J. Aust. 165, 672–675.
[5] Voetsch, A.C. et al. (2000) Enhanced surveillance for foodborne disease in the Hunter. A model for national surveillance in Australia? Food Aust. 52, 97–99.
[6] Kirk, M. et al. (2008) Food safety: foodborne disease in Australia: the OzFoodNet experience. Clin. Infect. Dis. 47, 392–400.
| Food safety: foodborne disease in Australia: the OzFoodNet experience.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18558879PubMed |
[7] Global Foodborne infections Network (GFN) Strategic Plan 2011–2015. World Health Organisation. Page 3.
[8] Stafford, R.J. et al. (2007) A multi-centre prospective case control study of Campylobacter infection in persons aged 5 years and older in Australia. Epidemiol. Infect. 135, 978–988.
| A multi-centre prospective case control study of Campylobacter infection in persons aged 5 years and older in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2svptlGmtQ%3D%3D&md5=2067e389b1ba935f7e18c511b60d90acCAS | 17134530PubMed |
[9] Stafford, R.J. et al. (2008) Population-attributable risk estimates for risk factors associated with Campylobacter infection, Australia. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 14, 895–901.
| Population-attributable risk estimates for risk factors associated with Campylobacter infection, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18507899PubMed |
[10] Ashbolt, R. and Kirk, M.D. (2006) Salmonella Mississippi infections in Tasmania: the role of native Australian animals and untreated drinking water. Epidemiol. Infect. 134, 1257–1265.
| Salmonella Mississippi infections in Tasmania: the role of native Australian animals and untreated drinking water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28nivFSgsg%3D%3D&md5=88ad5d6a708c2cb688872469cf109cceCAS | 16672107PubMed |
[11] Dalton, C.B. et al. (2011) A national case-control study of risk factors for Listeriosis in Australia. Epidemiol. Infect. 139, 437–445.
| A national case-control study of risk factors for Listeriosis in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3M3htVOksA%3D%3D&md5=17703cf113e319365c20a4b71a6a8a9fCAS | 20429970PubMed |
[12] Munnoch, S. et al. (2009) A multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul in Australia associated with cantaloupe consumption Epidemiol. Infect. 137, 367–374.
| A multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul in Australia associated with cantaloupe consumptionCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1M7itlSqsg%3D%3D&md5=8d285f7555cab6bbe4f0b0f60b6ebb8cCAS | 18559128PubMed |
[13] Gibbs, R. et al. (2009) An outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Litchfield infection in Australia linked to consumption of contaminated papaya. J. Food Prot. 72, 1094–1098.
| 19517740PubMed |
[14] OzFoodNet Working Group (2009) OzFoodNet Quarterly Report, 1 July to 30 September 2009. Commun. Dis. Intell. 33, 426–432.
[15] OzFoodNet Working Group (2010) Monitoring the incidence and causes of diseases potentially transmitted by food in Australia: annual report of the OzFoodNet network, 2009 Commun. Dis. Intell. 34, 396–426.
[16] Donnan, E.J. et al. (2012) A multistate outbreak of hepatitis A associated with semidried tomatoes in Australia, 2009. Clin. Infect. Dis. 54, 775–781.
| A multistate outbreak of hepatitis A associated with semidried tomatoes in Australia, 2009.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22238166PubMed |
[17] Webby, R.J. et al. (2007) Internationally distributed frozen oyster meat causing multiple outbreaks of norovirus infection in Australia. Clin. Infect. Dis. 44, 1026–1031.
| Internationally distributed frozen oyster meat causing multiple outbreaks of norovirus infection in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2s7msV2iug%3D%3D&md5=8134073eb4f871a7e2249e7b6503d45dCAS | 17366444PubMed |
[18] Lewis, H.C. et al. (2009) Outbreaks of Shigella sonnei in Denmark and Australia linked to consumption of imported raw baby corn. Epidemiol. Infect. 137, 326–334.
| Outbreaks of Shigella sonnei in Denmark and Australia linked to consumption of imported raw baby corn.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1M7isFejsw%3D%3D&md5=7ff19a55f687b5a6f1f4086ed2d82a45CAS | 19134229PubMed |
[19] Astridge, K.H. et al. (2011) Foodborne disease outbreaks in Australia 2001–2009. Food Aust. 63, 44–50.
[20] Stephens, N. et al. (2007) Large outbreaks of Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 135 infections associated with the consumption of products containing raw egg in Tasmania, Australia. Commun. Dis. Intell. 31, 118–124.
[21] Slinko, V.G. et al. (2009) Outbreaks of Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 197 of multiple genotypes linked to an egg producer. Commun. Dis. Intell. 33, 419–425.
[22] Reynolds, A. et al. (2010) An outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 170 associated with consumption of a dessert containing raw egg. Commun. Dis. Intell. 34, 329–333.
[23] Moffatt, C.R. et al. (2012) An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 135a gastroenteritis linked to eggs served at an Australian Capital Territory cafe. Commun. Dis. Intell. 36, E281–E285.
[24] The OzFoodNet Working group (2012) Monitoring the incidence and causes of diseases potentially transmitted by food in Australia: annual report of the OzFoodNet Network, 2010. Commun. Dis. Intell. 36, E213–E241.
