Public Health Scotland (PHS) has shared data revealing the number of outbreaks and illnesses caused by different pathogens in 2022 and 2023.
Surveillance of outbreaks in Scotland was suspended due to the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and is undergoing review before re-establishment. The report only covers outbreaks in which
Continue Reading Scotland reveals latest outbreak and illness data
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is considering introducing thresholds for action for some pathogens based on either a UK or Scottish approach.
Using targets based on reported infections of key pathogens could help monitor trends and be used as a trigger to act. However, figures would need to be interpreted carefully
Continue Reading Scotland mulls pathogen action levels
Scottish health officials have admitted the surveillance of foodborne outbreaks suffered due to the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a report on gastrointestinal and zoonotic pathogens for 2020 and 2021, only outbreaks involving Public Health Scotland (PHS) are covered. Officials said as surveillance had lapsed, it was not a
Continue Reading Scottish agency publishes first report on foodborne illness
Scottish officials are investigating a number of recent E. coli infections that have affected children.
E. coli O157 has sickened an unrevealed number of young people in the East Lothian area of Scotland.
A multi-agency incident management team is meeting to handle the cases and see if illnesses are connected.
Continue Reading Children sick in Scottish E. coli outbreak
Three people have died in an ongoing Listeria outbreak linked to fish in the United Kingdom.
The UK Health Security Agency, Food Standards Agency (FSA), Public Health Scotland and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are investigating the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that was first made public in April.
Twelve patients across the
Continue Reading Three dead in UK fish Listeria outbreak
The United States and several other countries are investigating an increase of hepatitis infections in young children.
Since November 2021, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are probing illnesses of nine children less than 10 years old.
These children had symptoms of
Continue Reading U.S. and other countries looking for cause of hepatitis infections in children
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on many areas, including fewer samples being taken and a decline in most foodborne pathogens, according to an annual report from Food Standards Scotland (FSS).
The agency’s report for the year ended March 31, 2021, mentions sampling, levels of five foodborne pathogens, enforcement
Continue Reading Scottish report highlights COVID-19 impact on food sector
Taking action to prevent foodborne illness is one of the priorities identified by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) as part of its new 5-year strategy.
Reported cases of foodborne disease have remained relatively consistent during the past 15 years.
Jacqui McElhiney, head of science at FSS, said foodborne illness continues to
Continue Reading Food Standards Scotland vows to tackle foodborne illness
Levels of E. coli infections reported in Scotland were marginally down in 2019 based on figures released by Health Protection Scotland.
This past year, there were 150 cases of E. coli O157 and 108 of non-O157 STEC, which is a slight decrease on the 156 cases of E. coli O157
Continue Reading Marginal movement on E. coli infections in Scotland
There were 11 foodborne outbreaks in Scotland this past year with almost 50 people falling ill.
Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) were the most frequently reported organisms.
Findings come from the Health Protection Scotland (HPS), part of Public Health Scotland (PHS), annual surveillance report on bacterial, protozoal and
Continue Reading Salmonella and STEC behind most outbreaks in Scotland
