Prevent Dangerous Foodborne Diseases

Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Diseases spread through food or beverages are a common, distressing, and sometimes life-threatening problem for millions of people in the United States and around the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 76 million people suffer food-borne illnesses each year in the United States, accounting for 325,000 hospitalizations and more than 5,000 deaths.

NIAID has updated its foodborne diseases fact sheet. The fact sheet describes five foodborne diseases caused by bacteria: botulism, campylobacteriosis, Escherichia coli infection, salmonellosis, and shigellosis. You can read about symptoms and treatment options, and useful ways to prevent foodborne diseases.

Next Steps
You can read the updated fact sheet by visiting www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/foodbornedis.htm.