METHODS

This article describes a review of communicable enteric disease surveillance, hospitalisation, and outbreak data, for NSW during the period 2000–2002. BACKGROUND Communicable enteric disease (CED), and in particular foodborne disease (FBD), is a major cause of illness in Australia.1 For the purpose of this article, the term CED encompasses both diarrhoeal and foodborne diseases, which includes illness caused by toxins. It is estimated that FBD costs the Australian community over $2.6 billion each year.2 The incidence of FBD in Australia is increasing.3 Salmonella infection notification rates almost doubled in NSW from 1992 (14 per 100,000) to 1998 (30 per 100,000); however, they declined slightly in 2001 (27 per 100,000). 4 There are many factors that can influence the incidence of FBD such as: changes in the pattern of food consumption; changes in consumer demand for food; and changes in the method of manufacture, distribution, storage, and selling of food. In addition, the proportion of the Australian population susceptible to CED is increasing, as the elderly are more vulnerable.3 Surveillance is key to understanding the epidemiology of CED, estimating its burden on the community, controlling risks, and identifying emerging pathogens. Essential to CED surveillance is clinician and laboratory reporting, analysis, and outbreak investigation.