Food-Related Illness and Death in the United States Reply to Dr. Hedberg
Author Information
Author(s): Mead Paul S., Slutsker Laurence, Griffin Patricia M., Tauxe Robert V.
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Conclusion
The estimates of foodborne illness and death may vary based on the assumptions made about the transmission characteristics of unknown agents.
Supporting Evidence
- The authors argue that the actual frequency of foodborne transmission of unknown agents cannot be measured directly.
- They suggest that improved estimates will require expanded research into undiagnosed illnesses.
- Their estimates help define gaps in existing knowledge and inform public health policy.
Takeaway
The study discusses how we estimate foodborne illnesses and deaths, and that these estimates can change based on what we know about different germs.
Methodology
The authors based their estimates on known pathogens and their transmission characteristics.
Potential Biases
There is a risk of bias in the assumptions made about the transmission characteristics of unknown agents.
Limitations
The estimates rely on assumptions and may not accurately reflect the true frequency of foodborne transmission for unknown agents.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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