Foodborne illness impact hard to assess

GROVE CITY, Pa., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Foodborne illness is underreported, has inadequate follow-up and a lack of research making its impact difficult to assess, a U.S. non-profit group says.

The report by the The Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention documents what is known about the long-term health outcomes associated with several foodborne illnesses.

"Foodborne illness is a serious public health issue in the 21st century," report author Tanya Roberts, chairwoman of the center's board of directors, said in a statement.

"But the vast majority of these illnesses are never reported to public health agencies, leaving us with many unanswered questions about the impact that foodborne illness is having on different populations, particularly young children and the elderly."

The report also said:

-- Campylobacter afflicts millions of Americans and hospitalizes more than 10,000 annually. It is associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome.

-- E. coli O157:H7 can lead to acute kidney failure in children, which can lead to death or long-term complications.

-- Listeria monocytogenes has been associated with infections of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in serious long-term neurological dysfunctions and impaired ability to see, hear, speak or swallow.

-- Salmonella can trigger reactive arthritis in some individuals, leaving them with temporary or permanent arthritis.

-- Toxoplasma gondii can result in visual impairment or mild to severe mental retardation.