Question - With regard to foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States, what organism is reportedly the most common cause of single confirmed etiology outbreaks?
Answer- The cited reference reports “A single confirmed etiology was reported for 2,953 (51%) outbreaks, resulting in 67,130 illnesses, 5,114 hospitalizations, and 140 deaths. Among 2,953 outbreaks with a single confirmed etiology, norovirus was the most common cause of outbreaks (1,130 outbreaks [38%]) and outbreak-associated illnesses (27,623 illnesses [41%]). Salmonella was the second most common single confirmed etiology reported, with 896 outbreaks (30%) and 23,662 illnesses (35%), followed by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) (191 outbreaks [6%]), Campylobacter (155 [5%]), Clostridium perfringens (108 [4%]), scombroid toxin (95 [3%]), ciguatoxin (80 [3%]), Staphylococcus aureus (35 [1%]), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (35 [1%]), and Listeria monocytogenes (35 [1%]). Listeria, Salmonella, and STEC were the most common causes of hospitalizations (82%) and deaths (82%) reported among persons in outbreaks with a single confirmed etiology.” (Dewey-Mattia D et al. Surveillance for foodborne disease outbreaks- United States, 2009-2015 MMWR Surveill Summ 2018;67 (no. SS-10): 1-11)