Enteric disease outbreak reporting, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 to 2005

OBJECTIVE: To review enteric disease outbreaks reported to the NSW Department of Health. METHODS: Data from existing electronic enteric disease outbreak summary databases were used to describe the number and type of outbreaks reported, burden of illness and cause of the outbreaks. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2005, 998 enteric disease outbreaks were reported (148 foodborne and 850 non-foodborne), affecting 24 260 people and associated with 771 hospitalisations and 21 deaths. Salmonella was confirmed in 28 per cent of foodborne outbreaks, and norovirus in 18 per cent of non-foodborne outbreaks. CONCLUSIONS: Enteric disease outbreaks cause a substantial burden of disease in NSW.