Foodborne diseases
Foodborne illness is a term used to describe the adverse health effects associated with the consumption of biological, chemical and physical hazards in food. Surveillance of foodborne illness is an important element of a national food control system. Access to reliable and current intelligence on the incidence of foodborne illness (including communicable and noncommunicable illnesses) is critical and should be applied to the identification of appropriate risk management strategies. The type of surveillance information required includes annual incidence trends, identification of susceptible population groups, identification of hazardous foods, identification and tracing of causes of foodborne diseases, and the development of early warning systems for outbreaks and food contamination.
This page provides links to information associated with the work of WHO and its partners to address this issue in countries and areas of the Western Pacific.
Fact sheets
No fact sheets available at this time.
News and press releases
18 May 2008
Disease outbreak prevention crucial in China earthquake aftermath
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19 March 2008
Sanitation is vital for human health
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27 May 2004
FAO/WHO Conference calls for massive efforts to improve food safety in Asia-Pacific
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Relevant publications and documents
Stop the Spread - Measures to Stop the Spread of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu at its Source
This document outlines strategies to minimise the disease in the production, distribution, processing and marketing of poultry, thereby reducing the risk to human health from Avian Influenza.The strategies where developed during the FAO/OIE/WHO Consultation on Avian Influenza and Human Health: Risk Reduction Measures in Producing, Marketing, and Living with Animals in Asia, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 4 to 6 July 2005 (full meeting report is below).
FAO/OIE/WHO Consultation on Avian Influenza and Human Health: Risk Reduction Measures in Producing, Marketing, and Living with Animals in Asia
This meeting report covers the presentations and discussions undertaken on the following:(1) the current practices employed in the production and marketing of live animals in Asia that might have potential human health implications;(2) the scope and effectiveness of current regulatory control measures applied to the production, distribution and marketing of live animals for food in Asia to minimize the human health risk;(3) the provision of guidance applicable in developing countries regarding appropriate regulatory controls in the production, distribution and marketing of live animals for food;(4) identification of effective interventions that would (a) enhance community awareness and understanding of high-risk human behaviors and practices contributing to the emergence and prevalence of avian influenza in humans and poultry; and (b) facilitate change aimed at reducing the risk of zoonoses to human health; and(5) determination of research that needs to be undertaken to strengthen regulatory controls.
Upcoming meetings and events
No meeting/event planned at this time.