Rovena Daja1, Artan Bego1, Majlinda Dhimolea1, Silva Bino1,2, Albana Fico1,2
1 Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania;
2 Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the foodborne diseases (FBD) outbreaks reported in Albania between 2015 and 2019, based on data from the data base of IPH (official data).
Methods: The study used aggregated data at national level from public health surveillance reports. Data on disease outbreaks of food and water borne diseases occurring from 2015 to 2019 were obtained from the national disease surveillance database and outbreak investigation reports. The dataset consisted of basic epidemiological information, regarding time, place, and total cases of each outbreak occurrence.
Results: During 2015-2019 there are 19 food borne outbreaks reported at the Institute of Public Health, Albania. Most of them are confirmed outbreaks by region and by pathogen. Salmonella (79%) was the most frequently and common cause of foodborne outbreaks in Albania followed by Norovirus (10.5%), Shigella Sonnei (5.2%) and Bacillus Cereus (5.2%). Food borne outbreaks are more common during the summer period. Too often, outbreaks of food borne diseases go unrecognized or unreported or are not investigated.
Conclusions: Strengthening the capacity of local health departments to investigate and report outbreaks will assist with these efforts through identification of the foods, etiologies, and settings linked to these outbreaks.There is a need to have a joint platform for surveillance data, outbreak reporting and response and communication activities but also the effectiveness of the response and communication activities especially related to IHR implementation
Keywords: epidemiological survey; foodborne illnesses; food contamination; food safety; public health.