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Foodborne diseases are caused by food containing pathogenic microorganisms. It is estimated that there are approximately 250 common types of foodborne illnesses, most of which have the same symptomatology: vomiting, diarrhea, nausea or abdominal involvement, among others. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reliable statistics indicating that, each year, 15% of its population suffers from some type of foodborne illness, with a low mortality rate (0.02% of cases that are hospitalized). These statistics could be extrapolated to Europe, and possibly with a higher incidence in the countries of the Mediterranean basin, due to their higher average temperature. The most frequent foodborne bacterial diseases are:
- Salmonellosis, caused by Salmonella sp. It is a bacterium of the intestinal flora of birds, reptiles and mammals.
Given its wide distribution, there are many routes of infection, such as consuming raw meat (especially poultry), raw eggs, unwashed vegetables or contaminated water that has not been disinfected. There are different levels of involvement, in the most severe form it is necessary to take antibiotics and the symptoms, in addition to those mentioned above, include joint pain, difficulty urinating and eye irritation.
- Escherichia coli is another type of bacteria present in the intestine of mammals. The most serious variant of the disease is caused by E.coli O157:H7, and several outbreaks have been reported due to the consumption of undercooked beef hamburgers. In the most severe cases it causes bloody diarrhea, anemia, renal failure, causing more complications in the most sensitive population groups.
Another type of E. coli, called enterotoxigenic, causes most cases of traveler’s diarrhea. Many of these outbreaks are closely associated with the consumption of vegetables that have not been disinfected or the consumption of water that has not been disinfected.
Campylobacter is a bacterium found in the intestinal tract of poultry. The most frequent route of infection is the consumption of poultry products (chicken, eggs…) poorly cooked or through contamination of the defrosting liquid of the chicken.
The most severe cases of gastroenteritis caused by campylobacter develop arthritis and affect the nervous system, causing a paralysis known as Guillaen Barré syndrome.
To avoid these inconveniences, take the following measures as a general rule.
a) Cook all foods to be consumed thoroughly.
b) Make sure that the vegetables you eat raw (salads) are properly disinfected.
J.M. Berrio