Objective: Salmonella infection is a common cause of bacterial foodborne diseases (FBDs) globally. In this study, we aimed to explore the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of Salmonella infection from 2012–2021 in Zhejiang Province, China.Methods: Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at all levels in Zhejiang Province through the China National Foodborne Diseases Surveillance Network from 2012–2021.Results: A total of 11,269 Salmonella cases were reported, with an average positive rate of 3.65%, including 1,614 hospitalizations. A significant seasonal trend was observed for Salmonella cases, with the highest rate over the summer period, peaking from May to October, accounting for 77.96%. The results indicated a higher positive rate among respondents aged 0–4 years, especially for the scattered children (P < 0.05). The highest number of Salmonella infections were caused due to contaminated fruit and fruit products. Households (54.69%) had the most common exposure settings. Serotypes analysis revealed that Salmonella typhimurium (36.07%), Salmonella enteritidis (15.17%), and Salmonella london (6.05%) were the dominant strains among the 173 serotypes. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting were the main symptoms of these serotypes.Conclusions: FBDs caused by Salmonella are important issues for public health in Zhejiang Province, and there is a need to focus on the epidemiological and etiological characteristics to control Salmonella infections.

Background: Foodborne diseases are a growing public health problem and contribute significantly to the global burden of disease and mortality. Bacteria are the most common foodborne pathogens. We aimed to explore characteristics of bacterial foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) in Zhejiang Province and to provide data support for foodborne disease prevention and control. Methods: Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data reported by centers for disease control (CDCs) at all levels in Zhejiang Province through Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System (FDOSS) during 2010–2020. Results: CDCs in Zhejiang Province reported 517 bacterial FBDOs in 11 years, resulting in 7031 cases, 911 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths. Vibrio parahaemolyticus had the highest number of outbreaks, accounting for 58.41% of the total bacterial outbreaks, followed by Salmonella (18.38%). In all settings, restaurants (37.14%), staff canteens (11.99%), and households (11.80%) were responsible for the large number of outbreaks. Aquatic products (42.08%), meat and meat products (23.56%), cereals (10.81%), and flour products (9.27%) were the most common single foods reported. Further analysis showed that the settings and food vehicles of outbreaks caused by different pathogens were different. Conclusions: Bacterial outbreaks are the most common type of FBDOs in Zhejiang Province. By analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of common pathogenic bacteria, we can identify the etiology, food, and setting that the government needs to focus on, and issue relevant targeted policies to reduce the number of FBDOs.

Background: This study aimed to identify the epidemiology, seasonality, aetiology and clinical characteristics of sporadic foodborne diseases in Zhejiang province during 2016–2020. Methods: Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data from surveillance network established by the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. There were 31 designated hospitals in all 11 cities which were selected using probability proportionate to size sampling method. Results: During the study period, the surveillance system received 75,124 cases with 4826 (6.42%) hospitalizations from 31 hospitals. The most common cause was Norovirus, 6120 cases (42.56%), followed by Salmonella, 3351 cases (23.30%). A significant seasonal trend was observed for the V. parahaemolyticus, with the highest rates over the summer period, peaking in August, 1171 cases (38.75%), a similar trend was also observed with Salmonella and Diarrheagenic E. coli. Norovirus infections showed the highest rate in November (904, 14.77%) and March (660,10.78%), the lowest in August, 215 cases (3.51%). Patients between 19 ~ 40 years were more likely to infected by Norovirus, V. parahaemolyticus and Diarrheagenic E. coli, patients below 1 year were the highest among patients with Salmonella infection, 881 cases (26.3%). The Norovirus, V. parahaemolyticus and Diarrheagenic E. coli infection with the highest positive detection rates among the workers were observed. The largest number cases of food categories were from aquatic product infection. The private home was the most common exposure setting. Conclusion: Our study highlighted the necessity for conducting an active, comprehensive surveillance for pathogens in all age groups, to monitor the changing dynamics in the epidemiology and aetiology of foodborne diseases to guide policies that would reduce related illnesses.

Gestational exposure to manganese (Mn), an essential trace element, is associated with fetal and childhood physical growth. However, it is unclear which period of growth is more significantly affected by prenatal Mn exposure. The current study was conducted to assess the associations of umbilical cord-blood Mn levels with birth outcomes and childhood continuous physical development. The umbilical cord-blood Mn concentrations of 1179 mother–infant pairs in the Sheyang mini birth cohort were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The association of cord-blood Mn concentrations with birth outcomes, and the BMI z-score at 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 years old, were estimated separately using generalized linear models. The relationship between prenatal Mn exposure and BMI z-score trajectory was assessed with generalized estimating equation models. The median of cord-blood Mn concentration was 29.25 μg/L. Significantly positive associations were observed between Mn exposure and ponderal index (β, regression coefficient = 0.065, 95% CI, confidence interval: 0.021, 0.109; p = 0.004). Mn exposure was negatively associated with the BMI z-score of children aged 1, 2, and 3 years (β = −0.383 to −0.249, p < 0.05), while no significant relationships were found between Mn exposure and the BMI z-score of children at the age of 6, 7, and 8 years. Prenatal Mn exposure was related to the childhood BMI z-score trajectory (β = −0.218, 95% CI: −0.416, −0.021; p = 0.030). These results indicated that prenatal Mn exposure was positively related to the ponderal index (PI), and negatively related to physical growth in childhood, which seemed most significant at an early stage.