What is the most common pathogen for foodborne disease?

What is the most common pathogen for foodborne disease?

• A. Salmonella
• B. Norwalk-type Virus
• C. Campylobacter
• D. Escherichia coli

Answer: (B)

Norovirus is the most common cause of foodborne illness because it requires only a tiny amount of virus to cause infection and spreads very easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, and direct person-to-person contact. Infected individuals can shed the virus before symptoms begin and for days after recovery, fueling rapid outbreaks in settings like restaurants, schools, and care facilities. The virus is also notably stable in the environment and resistant to some sanitizers, helping it persist on foods and in facilities. While Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli cause substantial illness, norovirus causes the largest number of foodborne cases and outbreaks overall.

Norovirus is the most common cause of foodborne illness because it requires only a tiny amount of virus to cause infection and spreads very easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, and direct person-to-person contact. Infected individuals can shed the virus before symptoms begin and for days after recovery, fueling rapid outbreaks in settings like restaurants, schools, and care facilities. The virus is also notably stable in the environment and resistant to some sanitizers, helping it persist on foods and in facilities. While Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli cause substantial illness, norovirus causes the largest number of foodborne cases and outbreaks overall.