Researchers have produced country-specific estimates of foodborne illnesses in two African countries to raise awareness of the scale of the problem.
This study assessed the economic costs associated with foodborne illnesses caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in all foods, chicken, and tomatoes in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.
Economic costs were the sum of the estimated willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce the risk of death, pain and suffering, and loss of productivity.
In 2017, the average economic cost associated with foodborne illness was 391 million in Burkina Faso and 723 million in Ethiopia. Cost estimates are expressed in constant 2017 international dollars.
Help decision makers understand problem
The productivity loss in Burkina Faso was 275 million, the WTP for reducing the risk of death was 112 million, and the WTP for reducing the risk of pain and suffering was 4 million.
According to Frontiers magazine, Ethiopia lost 513 million yen in productivity, 192 million yen in WTP to reduce the risk of death, and 18 million yen in WTP to reduce the risk of pain and suffering. Sustainable food system research.
“Country-specific estimates of the economic costs associated with foodborne illness due to different foodborne illnesses in different foods can inform decision-makers in African countries of the seriousness of the problem. “This could help countries prioritize policies to reduce risks and prevent disease in their countries,” the researchers said.
“For policymakers to design and implement effective policies to improve food safety, it is important not only to know the scale and importance of the problem. It is also important to address where chain hazards appear, who is responsible, what solutions are possible and how they can be applied in specific situations.”
World Health Organization (WHO) foodborne illness estimates updated from 2010 to 2017 were used as a basis. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded the project.
Cost by pathogen and product
In Burkina Faso, Salmonella caused 280 million deaths, ETEC caused 68 million, and Campylobacter caused 43 million. In Ethiopia, Salmonella caused costs of 288 million, ETEC led to costs of 253 million, and campylobacter led to costs of 181 million.
In Burkina Faso, the average economic costs associated with diseases caused by Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter in chicken meat were 12 times higher than those caused by Salmonella enterica and ETEC in tomatoes.
In Ethiopia, costs due to Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken were nine times higher than those due to Salmonella and ETEC in tomatoes.
Estimates of the economic costs associated with foodborne illness in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia were substantial compared to national economies, despite only including three hazards.
“This is higher than available estimates for high-income countries, further highlighting the disproportionate impact that foodborne illness has on the health and economy of LMICs,” the researchers said.
The scientists made several recommendations for the control of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and ETEC in chicken and tomatoes in both countries.
“First, efforts to control foodborne illnesses caused by these hazards need to be stepped up. Given the substantial economic costs compared to each country’s national economy, this has the potential to yield substantial social benefits. Second, efforts should focus on children under the age of 5, as a disproportionately large proportion of the economic costs may be attributable to them. Potential Policies could focus on interventions that encourage parents to purchase safer foods for their young children and to prepare these foods safely at home.
“Third, Salmonella causes the highest costs, so efforts to control Salmonella in chicken and tomatoes could have a greater economic impact than efforts focused on ETEC or Campylobacter.Fourth. In contrast, the economic cost of chicken meat is 9 to 12 times higher than the economic cost of tomatoes, so chicken meat should be given more emphasis than tomatoes.
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