FoodNet narrows active surveillance to Salmonella and STEC

Federal health officials have sharply narrowed national active surveillance for foodborne illness, requiring participating state health departments to monitor only Salmonella and Shiga toxin producing E. coli beginning July 1, officials said. The change affects the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, a joint state and federal system that spans 10 states and covers roughly 54 million people, about 16 percent of the U.S. population.

Until this summer, FoodNet required active tracking of infections caused by eight pathogens: Salmonella, Shiga toxin producing E. coli or STEC, Campylobacter, Cyclospora, Listeria, Shigella, Vibrio and Yersinia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said narrowing mandatory reporting to Salmonella and STEC will allow staff to prioritize core activities and steward resources effectively. A CDC document provided to a participating state health department noted that funding has not kept pace with resources required to maintain surveillance for all eight pathogens.

An HHS spokesperson said other CDC systems will continue national surveillance for the remaining six pathogens. But public health officials and food safety...