The European Union One Health 2021 Zoonoses Report

Abstract

This report of the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control presents the results of zoonoses monitoring and surveillance activities carried out in 2021 in 27 MSs, the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) and nine non‐MSs. Key statistics on zoonoses and zoonotic agents in humans, food, animals and feed are provided and interpreted historically. In 2021, the first and second most reported zoonoses in humans were campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, respectively. Cases of campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis increased in comparison with 2020, but decreased compared with previous years. In 2021, data collection and analysis at the EU level were still impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic and the control measures adopted in the MSs, including partial or total lockdowns. Sixteen MSs and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) achieved all the established targets in poultry populations for reduction in Salmonella prevalence for the relevant serovars. Salmonella samples from carcases of various animal species and samples for Campylobacter quantification from broiler carcases were more frequently positive when performed by the competent authorities than when own‐checks were conducted. Yersiniosis was the third most reported zoonosis in humans, followed by Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes infections. L. monocytogenes and West Nile virus infections were the most severe zoonotic diseases, with the most hospitalisations and highest case fatality rates. Overall, MSs reported more foodborne outbreaks and cases in 2021 than in 2020. S. Enteritidis remained the most frequently reported causative agent for foodborne outbreaks. Salmonella in ‘eggs and egg products’ and in ‘mixed foods’ were the agent/food pairs of most concern. Outbreaks linked to ‘vegetables and juices and products thereof’ rose considerably compared with previous years. This report also provides updates on brucellosis, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), echinococcosis, rabies, toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis, tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis or M. caprae , and tularaemia.

Listeria monocytogenes Isolates from Meat Products and Processing Environment in Poland Are Sensitive to Commonly Used Antibiotics, with Rare Cases of Reduced Sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin

“…The bacterium caused 2183 cases of illness in the European Union (EU) in 2021, which led to 923 hospitalizations and 196 deaths. The mortality rate in UE in 2021 was 13.7%, similar to that in 2020 (13.0%) and lower than in 2019 (17.6%) [ 26 ]. L. monocytogenes caused 23 outbreaks in UE in 2021, out of which 8 were classified as high-evidence outbreaks caused by: fish and fish products (4 cases), meat and meat products (3 cases), and broiler meat (1 case) [ 26 ].…”

“…The mortality rate in UE in 2021 was 13.7%, similar to that in 2020 (13.0%) and lower than in 2019 (17.6%) [ 26 ]. L. monocytogenes caused 23 outbreaks in UE in 2021, out of which 8 were classified as high-evidence outbreaks caused by: fish and fish products (4 cases), meat and meat products (3 cases), and broiler meat (1 case) [ 26 ]. In the United States, there were 4 identified outbreaks in 2021, caused by Queso Fresco (the outbreak caused 13 illnesses and 1 death), fully cooked chicken (3 illnesses, one death), and packed salads, which caused two independent outbreaks (10 illnesses and 1 death for one outbreak; 18 illnesses and 3 deaths for the second outbreak) [ 24 ].…”

Colloidal Solutions as Advanced Coatings for Active Packaging Development: Focus on PLA Systems

“… Number of foodborne diseases due to foodborne outbreaks in 2010–2021 Reprinted with permission from ref. [ 5 ]. …”

“…In 2018, 5098 foodborne epidemics with half a thousand cases of illness, about 5000 hospitalisations and 40 deaths, and it is also worth noting that the number was 5000 cases lower in 2017 [ 4 ]. Figure 1 shows the number of illnesses due to foodborne and waterborne outbreaks in the EU from 2010 to 2021, [ 5 ] with pathogens such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Bacillus cerus, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. [ 6 ].…”

Inhibition of Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria by Excreted Metabolites of Serratia marcescens Strains Isolated from a Dairy-Producing Environment

“…Based on severity data, besides West Nile virus infections, listeriosis was the most severe disease with the highest case fatality and hospitalisation rates. The highest number of deaths was associated with listeriosis, salmonellosis, and STEC infections, with 196, 71, and 18 cases, respectively [ 1 ]; thus, control of these bacterial pathogens in foods and food-producing environments is of great importance.…”