Pilot Study on Foodborne Disease Burden in Albania
Dr. Lindita Molla from the National Public Health Institute in Tirana, Albania conducted a pilot study on the burden of foodborne diseases, aiming to involve all food safety stakeholders, collect data, and promote evidence-based policies. Motivated by a rise in gastroenteric illnesses and limited data on foodborne outbreaks in Albania, the study process involved creating a team, analyzing the food safety status, identifying hazards, and collating data from various sources. The study shed light on the governance of public health and food safety in Albania, focusing on the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety Directorate.
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Presentation Transcript
Burden of foodborne disease: Burden of foodborne disease: pilot study in Albania pilot study in Albania Dr. Lindita Molla National Public Health Institute Tirana, Albania FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade Geneva, 23-24 April 2019 3/11/2025
Aim of the country study Aim of the country study To intend and to involve all the food safety stakeholders to create and collect the data about foodborne disease, to share results with stakeholders, and promote efforts to use the information for developing evidence-based policies. The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Motivation Motivation Increasing number of gastroenteric illness, specify as unknown gastroenteritis (approximately 56,000 cases/year and 2,000 cases/100,000 population). Acknowledge the numerous hazards in the food supply (biological and chemical hazards) Limited data about the FBO Having more information for the decision marker for improving the food safety system in Albania The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Process of Albanian study (1) Process of Albanian study (1) 1. We created a team to conduct the study. The members of this team included representatives from government and academic institutions. 2. The study team: a. conducted a situation analysis b. described the regulatory and status of food safety in the country c. identified actors, policies and practices, and generally provide context for the scientific data. d. identified hazards in the food supply that were relevant for Albania. 3/11/2025 FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade,
Process of Albanian study (2) Process of Albanian study (2) Local scientists collated data and information from human health surveillance sources and food safety agencies on the incidence and nature of foodborne diseases. The structure and nature of agencies responsible for food safety and surveillance were described, as part of a situation analysis. The data were augmented by searches of the scientific literature (ad hoc studies) for information on food safety in Albania. This activity was intended to provide a collation of existing information towards estimation of the burden of foodborne disease. The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Situation Analysis: Situation Analysis: Public health and food safety governance in Albania Public health and food safety governance in Albania Food safety Food safety The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection Food Safety Directorate includes the National Food Authority (NFA) which is responsible for official control, risk assessment, and communication. Official control involves the inspection of food production hygiene and certification of hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) based systems. Data on the prevalence of hazards in the food supply are limited. Official monitoring programmes for shellfish (algal toxins and Escherichia coli) have been in place since 2005 to support exports to the European Union. The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Situation Analysis: Situation Analysis: Human health surveillance Human health surveillance of foodborne diseases in Albania is led by the Public Health Institute within the Ministry of Health, which collates data supplied by regional departments of public health. An early warning surveillance system operates across all of Albania, and the case definitions are the same as for syndromic surveillance under the International Health Regulations. Key indicators of foodborne disease are the annual rates of reported gastrointestinal illness. Food poisoning cases are reported on the basis of assessment by physicians from primary health care as well as hospitalized cases. Etiology for cases in these general disease categories is rarely investigated. Surveillance for parasitic or viral infections is not routine. The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Limitations Limitations 1. This pilot study has collated surveillance information and ad hoc studies on diseases commonly caused by foodborne transmission of pathogens. 2. There are no community level studies, and for cases of gastroenteric illness and food poisoning etiological information is missing. 3. There are few data on the prevalence of hazards in the Albanian food supply. The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Findings/Lesson learned (1) Findings/Lesson learned (1) This pilot study has suggested some ways in which the food safety system in Albania could be strengthened. The legal framework and regulatory infrastructure for the Albanian food safety and surveillance system are in place: one major gap appears to be resourcing to support the existing laboratories to undertake diagnostic testing, and more comprehensive monitoring of the food supply. This would also support the greater use of epidemiological investigation tools, to identify sources of infection. The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Findings/Lesson learned Findings/Lesson learned (2) (2) In the longer term, development of capacity for typing of pathogens and potential sources would assist in attribution. It may be useful to apply needs assessment tools to the assessment of the Albanian food safety system, as has recently been applied to Albanian maternity services. This pilot study prompted efforts to develop greater capacity in relation to food safety and foodborne disease in Albania. The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Challenges Challenges 1. Strengthened the laboratory capacity (IFSV, some of labs accredited) a. Microbiological (food safety and animal health) b. Chemical (heavy metals and pesticides residues) 2. Strengthened the laboratory capacity of foodborne pathogens (Salmonella and Campylobacter) in PHI. 3. Updating food regulations at the Chapters related to; - Coordination of control activities and collaboration (collection, analysis, interpretation data and dissemination of information) - Outbreak detection, investigation and response The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Future steps Future steps We are in the process of the reorganization of the national structure of food safety system. The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
Thank you for your attention! The FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, 3/11/2025
