Yersiniosis in Poland in 2018-2020.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of yersiniosis in Poland in 2018-2020 and compare it to previous years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To assess the epidemiological situation of yersiniosis in Poland, data from individual case reports prepared by Sanitary Epidemiological Stations as part of routine epidemiological surveillance were used. Incidence, number of cases and data on hospitalizations by voivodship included in the bulletins "Infectious Diseases and Poisons in Poland" for 2015-2020 were also used. RESULTS: In 2018-2020, a total number of 542 cases of yersiniosis were registered, including 456 intestinal and 86 extraintestinal forms. The incidence in 2018 was 0.53/100,000 in 2019 0.59/100,000 and in 2020 0.29/100,000. The number of cases in 2020 compared to 2019 decreased by 52%, and compared to 2018 by 45.8%. The percentage of hospitalizations in each year was at a similar level of 65.5% in 2018, 62.4% in 2019, and 60% in 2020. The highest incidence was noted in the 0-4 age group at 44.7% of cases in 2018, 42.9% in 2019 and 55.6% in 2020, respectively (all cases of the intestinal form). The predominant species was Y. enterocolitica in both intestinal and extraintestinal forms. The most common serotype was serotype O:3, which was identified in 34 isolates in 2018, 43 isolates in 2019 and 9 isolates in 2020. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Since 2009, Poland has had a decreasing trend in the incidence of yersiniosis. In 2020, both Poland and Europe saw a sharp decline in the number of cases compared to previous years. This is a result of the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, during which many measures were introduced to limit the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which may also have affected the number of other infections. Although the numbers of cases and incidence of yersiniosis among children under the age of 5 are the highest compared to other age groups, the highest number of hospitalizations was reported in the 10-19 age group, which most likely reflects the decreasing number of laboratory tests ordered on an outpatient basis with age and the significant underreporting of cases in this and older age groups.

Campylobacteriosis in Poland in 2018-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Campylobacteriosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter. This disease usually presents with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. The majority of Campylobacter infections are usually acquired through consumption of contaminated water or food, less frequently through direct contact with an infected animal or person. In Poland, campylobacteriosis is notifiable disease, according to the EU deffinition implemented in the polish surveillance system. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to assess epidemiological situation of campylobacteriosis in Poland in years 2018-2019 and compare it to previous years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was based on data from the bulletins 'Infectious Diseases and Poisonings in Poland' for 2018-2019 issued by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute and data submitted to the System for Registration of Epidemiological Interwiews (SRWE) by District Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations. RESULTS: In Poland 726 cases of Campylobacterosis were reported in 2018 and 715 in 2019. There was a decrease in the number of reported cases in comparision to 2017 by 17% and 19% in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Cases of campylobacteriosis were reported in all voivodeships, with the highest incidence in both described years in Lubuskie voivodeship. Campylobacteriosis was diagnosed in patients in all age groups but the majority of patients were children under the age of 4. The most frequently identified species was Campylobacter jejuni. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Data on the number of campylobacteriosis infections in Poland for 2018 and 2019, demonstrate a stabilized epidemiological situation regarding this disease entity in the country. The high hospitalization rate of patients diagnosed with campylobacteriosis, demonstrates the need to implement microbiological diagnostics in cases of suspected disease. Data show a much lower incidence rate of campylobacteriosis in Poland, compared to other EU countries, which suggests potential underestimation of the actual number of infected case.

Foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2015

AIM: The purpose of the study is to assess the epidemiological situation of food poisonings and infections in Poland in 2015 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The evaluation was based on the analysis of information sent to Department of Epidemiology NIPH-NIH through ROE (Pol. Rejestr Ognisk Epidemicznych)- (an electronic system created for uploading, transfer and analysis of data acquired during the outbreak investigations). Additional sources for the analysis were NIZP-PZH annual bulletins (Czarkowski MP et al. "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland", 2007-2015. Warsaw, NIPH-NIH and GIS) RESULTS: In 2015 a total number of 560 foodborne infections and intoxications outbreaks were reported in which 21 962 persons were exposed and 7 037 (including 1 896 children up to 14 years of age) got sick. Hospitalization was required for 1 905 of patients. The most frequent etiological agent was Salmonella sp. ­ 34.3%, and 21.4 % of cases). Viruses were responsible for 23.9% of outbreaks and 29.7 % of cases (And among them rotaviruses­ 13% of outbreaks and 7.1% of cases and noroviruses­ 10.5% of outbreaks and 26.9% of cases). In 25.2% of outbreaks no etiological agent was found. Just as in 2014 private household was the most frequent place of an outbreak (235 outbreaks), and after that­ hospital (148 outbreaks). In 2014 the most frequent vehicle were cakes and desserts (25.6% of all outbreaks with known etiological agent). In 2015 the most frequent vehicle of infection were eggs and egg products) (19% of outbreaks of known vehicle). In 57.3% of outbreaks no vehicle was found or proved. Moreover in 2015 a total number of 4 outbreaks in which more than 100 cases were reported CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the number of foodborne outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis etiology along with the fact of eggs and egg products being the most frequent vehicle indicates an alarming situation and the necessity of microbiological surveillance enchantment in relation to those products