[Foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2003].

A total of 20 221 bacterial foodborne infections and intoxications were registered in 2003 (incidence 52.9/100 000 population). These illnesses were less incident in 2003, compared both to 2002 figure (26 734 cases; incidence 69.9) and the median 1998-2001 (26 902 cases; incidence 69.6). Unlike bacterial infections, the incidence of viral foodborne infections increased in the recent years (2003--21.10 vs. 2002--17.30 and median 1998-2001 6.85). The parasitic foodborne infections did not change much during the recent years. A total of 78 cases of mushroom poisonings were reported (incidence 0.2) in 2003, compared to 66 cases in 2002 (incidence 0.17) and a median of 223 cases in 1998-2001 (incidence 0.6). The incidence of foodborne infections and intoxications was higher in the age group 0-4 years, compared to other age groups and in urban areas, compared to rural areas. A total of 230 foodborne and waterborne outbreaks involving 3816 cases were reported in 2003 (in Poland only outbreaks involving 4 persons or more were reported). The most prevalent etiological factors in outbreaks were Salmonella strains (63.6% of cases),Staphylococcus aureus (10.0% of cases) and Klebsiella strains (1.4% of cases). The most prevalent Salmonella strain were S. Enteritidis (89.3%) and S. Hadar (5.0%). The main vehicle of foodborne and waterborne outbreaks were meals prepared from various (> 2) raw materials of animal sources (29.2% of cases), egg meals (27.6%) and meats (7.2%). Of the places of food contamination, the most prevalent were own apartments (26.1% of outbreaks), food producing farms (10.6%), and restaurants (4.9%). One death was attributed to an outbreak of unknown etiology.