Introduction: Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) is a common gram-positive bacterium that contaminates starch-rich food and can cause outbreaks of foodborne diseases. This study describes the characteristics of outbreaks caused by B. cereus in China during 2010-2020 and explore the possible reasons for changes in the number of outbreaks over time. Results of this analysis can efficiently help guide and allocate public resources to prevent B. cereus-caused foodborne diseases.
Methods: Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data on B. cereus outbreaks in China during this period. The data were identified and reported at all levels in China through National Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System.
Results: From 2010 to 2020, a total of 419 foodborne outbreaks prompted by B. cereus were reported in China, leading to 7,892 cases, 2,786 hospital admissions, and 5 fatalities. The bulk of the outbreaks were recorded in the summer, primarily between May and September. The most recurrent food vehicle was linked with rice or flour-based products, notably those made with rice or fried rice. School canteens bore the brunt of the B. cereus outbreaks. In multifactor outbreaks, food contamination was identified as the most common culprit; while in instances where only one factor contributed, improper storage was most frequently implicated.
Conclusion: The prevalence of B. cereus outbreaks remained relatively consistent throughout the studied period. Understanding the types of foods, causative factors, and contributing elements leading to B. cereus outbreaks can help inform prevention strategies for foodborne illnesses. The majority of outbreaks were associated with rice- or flour-based foods in school canteens, suggesting contamination and improper storage during food preparation. Consequently, it is essential to prioritize continuous education for canteen staff on food safety, efficacious management, and proper practices. The implementation of comprehensive guidelines, encompassing multiple critical aspects, can potentially reduce the occurrence of B. cereus outbreaks.
What is already known about this topic?: Diarrhea represents a substantial public health issue, contributing globally to a high number of pediatric medical consultations, hospital admissions, and mortality rates.
What is added by this report?: An increase in diarrheal frequency serves as a critical benchmark for evaluating severity. The predominant pathogens associated with pediatric diarrhea are rotavirus and norovirus, with co-infections exerting a notable compounding effect that leads to more severe diarrhea.
What are the implications for public health practice?: Implementing sensitive diagnostic techniques and comprehensive monitoring is paramount in identifying co-infections. Such strategies can provide physicians with critical insights into disease progression, thus considerably reducing the burden of diarrhea.
What is already known about this topic?: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) persists as a significant global public health crisis. The predominant strain, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), notably the Omicron variant, continues to undergo mutations. While vaccination is heralded as the paramount solution to cease the pandemic, challenges persist in providing equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
What is added by this report?: The distribution of vaccine coverage exhibited disparities between high-income and middle-income countries, with middle-income countries evidencing lower levels of vaccination. The data further suggested that countries with lesser vaccination levels tended to display a higher case fatality rate. Findings indicated that an increase in population-wide vaccination was effective in mitigating COVID-19 related mortalities.
What are the implications for public health practice?: The findings of this research underscore the pressing necessity for equitable access to vaccines to effectively mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic within the Asia-Pacific region.
What is already known about this topic?: Elevated gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy among women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is correlated with an increased instance of large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia. However, it remains uncertain whether managing weekly GWG following a GDM diagnosis positively impacts fetal birth weight.
What is added by this report?: Our study found that GWG following GDM diagnosis correlates positively with the risk of LGA and macrosomia among all body mass index (BMI) subgroups, especially for overweight and obese women.
What are the implications for public health practice?: The results of this research highlight the importance of enforcing a more stringent regulation on GWG on a weekly basis for overweight and obese women diagnosed with GDM, particularly when considering neonatal growth.
What is already known about this topic?: The prevalence of mental health disorders among children and youth in China stands at 17.5%, a figure that has been gradually escalating over recent years. This surge has led to substantial psychological distress and financial strain for both families and the wider society.
What is added by this report?: This study boasts an expansive geographical scope by covering Jiangsu Province extensively and utilizing a substantial sample size. An investigation was conducted on the prevalence and risk factors, which included family type and health behaviors, of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms.
What are the implications for public health practice?: The mental health status of children and adolescents should be of great concern to the government. Therefore, it is important that public health measures are implemented to mitigate the development of depressive symptoms. These measures may include regular screening procedures and the implementation of proven interventions.
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a growing concern as an emerging tick-borne infectious disease originating from the SFTS virus (SFTSV), a recent addition to the Phlebovirus genus under the family of bunyaviruses. SFTS is typically identified by symptoms such as fever, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and gastrointestinal problems, accompanied by a potentially high case fatality rate. Thus, early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and disease management. This review delves into the existing methodologies for SFTS detection, including pathogenic, molecular, and immunological technologies.