Costs and Benefits of a Subtype-Specific Surveillance System for Identifying Escherichia coli O157:H7 Outbreaks
2000
Cost-Benefit Analysis of E. coli O157:H7 Surveillance System
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Elamin H. Elbasha, Thomas D. Fitzsimmons, Martin I. Meltzer
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Is a subtype-specific surveillance system for E. coli O157:H7 economically feasible?
Conclusion
The surveillance system can recover its costs if it averts at least five cases of E. coli O157:H7 infections annually.
Supporting Evidence
- The Colorado system could recover costs by averting just five cases annually.
- The average cost of an E. coli O157:H7 infection was estimated at $7,788.
- The system was designed to identify outbreaks of multiple organisms, not just E. coli.
Takeaway
If we can stop just a few people from getting sick, the system that checks for bad E. coli in food can pay for itself.
Methodology
Cost-benefit analysis based on data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Limitations
Lack of data to estimate attack rates and cases averted by the meat recall.
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website