EFSA has today published its first [1] annual Community summary report on trends and sources of zoonoses. The report provides data on 11 zoonotic diseases from the 25 European Union (EU) countries [2] and Norway for 2004 and data for previous years from many of these countries. The report includes data on the following: Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, verotoxin producing E.coli, Brucella, Yersinia, Trichinella, Echinococcus and Toxoplasma as well as tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis and rabies. [3]

Salmonella and Campylobacter infections were by far the most widely reported human zoonotic diseases in the EU in 2004. While there was a general downward trend of human Salmonella cases between 1999 and 2004, 13 of the EU Member States reported an increase in human Campylobacter cases between 2003 and 2004. Listeriosis, which can seriously affect the unborn child, accounted for the highest number of reported human fatalities, (107 deaths) amongst the 11 zoonoses.

 Salmonellaand Campylobacter were also the most reported zoonotic bacteria present in food. The highest Salmonella contamination rates were found in poultry and pigs and the fresh meat from these animals, indicating that eggs, poultry meat and pork are the major sources of human Salmonella infections. Campylobacter was present at significantly higher levels than Salmonella in poultry meat in 2004.

The full zoonoses report has now been published on the EFSA website and its results will be shared with the European Commission and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In addition, EFSA’s Scientific Panels on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) and Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) will also consider the results of the report during 2006.