The UK FSA report on 13 foodborne pathogens and their detrimental effect on UK society has ben published. They classified the pathogens according to 6 weighted criteria:
-
- Estimated Number of Annual Cases
- Quality Adjusted Life Years per Case of the Pathogen
- Public Concern
- Total Cost to Society per Annum
- Estimated Number of Annual Fatalities
- Scientist Confidence
The following pathogens were “high-ranking” according to the report:
- Norovirus
- Listeria Monocytogenes
- Campylobacter
- Salmonella
- Clostridium Perfringens
The criteria are open to some level of interpretation, but the report provides an interesting way of looking at pathogens and their impact on society.
One pathogen, norovirus, stands out from the rest as is highlighted in the conclusion: “It’s worth noting that norovirus ranked first in such a high proportion of simulations that it could reasonably be considered in a separate category altogether”.
To download the full report, click here
