Others represent new efforts. These activities are described in individual booklets for each target area. Foodborne and waterborne infections are major public health problems. Each year, millions of people in the United States are infected with foodborne diseases, and several thousand die. Waterborne diseases also contribute significantly to the U.S. disease burden.
Many different pathogens can be foodborne or waterborne, and more are likely to be discovered.
Preventing these diseases depends on understanding how food or water becomes contaminated and involves working with many partners to reduce or prevent contamination. Foodborne pathogens are numerous and have many ways to enter the food chain, which makes disease prevention very complex. Some emerging foodborne pathogens are found in food animals, including cattle, poultry, fish, and shellfish. Fresh produce is an important component of a healthy diet, but fruits and vegetables can also be sources of infection if they are contaminated in the field or after harvest. Moreover, some pathogens are spread from infected people who contaminate the food while preparing it.