Regional foodborne disease findings prompt calls for action

Researchers have highlighted the significant burden of foodborne infections in Central America and the Caribbean and called for more attention on the issue in the region.

A review focused on bacterial foodborne diseases in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC) from 2000 to 2024.

In total, 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. The most prevalent pathogens were Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, and Aliarcobacter, with contamination often associated with poultry, eggs, and vegetables.

According to the study published in the journal Microbiology Research, key challenges include inadequate surveillance systems, limited resources and inconsistent reporting practices.

“A more significant investment in pathogen monitoring, documentation, and education, along with technologies like whole genome sequencing (WGS), is crucial. Institutional and governmental funding is vital to improve surveillance and strengthen regional risk analysis,” said scientists.

Despite the developing surveillance system for foodborne diseases and guidelines from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on food handling practices, a previous survey found a lack of understanding in national regulations among food safety professionals in the governmental, academic and private sectors in the region.

Researchers said knowledge of the incidence and strategies for the surveillance and detection of bacterial foodborne diseases in the region is crucial for managing and preventing outbreaks.

Main problem pathogens
Salmonella stood out as the most prevalent agent, primarily linked to consumption of undercooked poultry and raw eggs, followed by enteropathogenic E. coli, frequently detected in vegetables irrigated with contaminated water and unpasteurized dairy products.

Campylobacter and Aliarcobacter emerged as underestimated pathogens, with outbreaks associated with seafood and raw milk, while Listeria monocytogenes had a lower incidence but higher lethality in vulnerable populations. Vibrio predominates in coastal areas, particularly in the Caribbean islands, while Shigella has a higher incidence in urban areas with poor sanitation.

Salmonella has been detected in various foods in Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. Campylobacter and Aliarcobacter have shown significant prevalence in Costa Rica.

Without adequate preventive measures, foodborne illnesses could pose a significant threat to tourism and the economy of the region, either directly by the exposure of visitors to contaminated products and workers who do not report their illnesses, or indirectly by causing visitor avoidance because of the fear of being exposed to pathogens, said researchers.

A past survey indicated that many establishments, particularly smaller hotels, struggle with implementing effective food safety systems, notably the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) framework. 

Diagnostic testing is typically only conducted during outbreaks. This leads to the underreporting of sporadic cases, limiting public health authorities’ understanding of the prevalence and sources of pathogens in the food supply.

Efforts to enhance foodborne disease surveillance have included initiatives such as PulseNet Latin America and the Caribbean (PNLAC), established to strengthen lab-based surveillance and enable the early detection of outbreaks. 

There are national differences in the maturity and complexity of lab surveillance networks, funding, human resources, and the importance of foodborne infections compared to other infectious diseases.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/05/regional-foodborne-disease-findings-prompt-calls-for-action/