OzFoodNet Projects
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OzFoodNet Outbreak Register
TIMEFRAME
START: JANUARY 2001FINISH: ONGOING
STATUS:
Updated to March 2009Foodborne disease outbreak data can be useful to identify emerging diseases. These data can also provide important information about patterns in outbreak occurrence, and identify risky food preparation and handling practices.
The purpose of the Outbreak Register is to provide a prospective on-going record of foodborne disease outbreaks.
This scheme will cover all of Australia and will categorise outbreaks by mode of transmission into the following categories:
- Foodborne
- Suspected foodborne
- Waterborne (including recreational)
- Suspected Waterborne (including recreational)
- Animal-to-person
- Person-to-person
- Unknown
National Gastroenteritis Survey II (NGSII)
TIMEFRAME
START: JULY 2007FINISH: July 2010
STATUS:
Updated to January 2010The NGSII was a cross-sectional survey of the Australian community conducted over one year between February 2008 and February 2009. The survey was modelled on the previous National Gastroenteritis Survey conducted in 2001–2, which estimated that there were 17.2 million cases of gastroenteritis each year in Australia. The NGSII was conducted in collaboration with the New South Wales Food Authority.
The purpose of the NGSII was to estimate the incidence of gastroenteritis in Australia, which is critical to our understanding of the burden of foodborne disease in the community.
The survey asked Australians whether they had experienced gastroenteritis in the previous four weeks. It was conducted by Computer Assisted Telephone Interview and similar numbers of people were interviewed each month in all States and Territories. The exception was in New South Wales where more people were surveyed to give greater understanding of the results in the State.
At the end of the survey, participants were asked if they would be willing to participate in future health surveys. If participants said yes, their contact details were entered onto a database—the ‘Control Bank’—so they could be contacted in the future. The Control Bank has proven very useful in the past during outbreaks of foodborne disease, as it provides a ready source of comparative data on food consumption patterns for the community.
Advanced disease control workshop
TO BE HELD: 2-3 June 2010
Background: A key capacity building goal of OzFoodNet is to train disease outbreak investigators to a minimum standard and, where appropriate, to an advanced level. This capacity was identified by the OzFoodNet Network as early as August 2004 and reiterated in strategic planning undertaken in October 2007. Advanced Disease Investigation Workshops (previously held in May 2005 and March 2007) are a way to build capacity and significantly contribute to the success of OzFoodNet outbreak investigations.
Description: The aim of this two day workshop will be to build Australia’s expert capacity in outbreak investigation for foodborne and other pathogens. The workshop will cater for 60-70 participants ranging from OzFoodNet epidemiologists and OHP staff, to representatives from CDNA and jurisdictional health departments. It will build on existing epidemiological skills and knowledge and will be targeted at people with at least a moderate understanding of outbreak investigation. A faculty of internationally and national experts will deliver a curriculum incorporating outbreak investigation content drawn from a variety of disciplines including foodborne illness and other relevant communicable diseases. Key themes of the workshop will include:
- international best practice in management of outbreak investigations
- conducting robust case control and cohort studies during outbreaks
- advanced analysis of outbreak data
- current laboratory issues
Page currency, Latest update: January, 2010