Outbreaks of human trichinellosis, still a challenge for the public health authorities in Bulgaria

Aim Human trichinellosis is an important food-borne zoonotic disease that causes financial losses and health problems for the population. Sporadic cases and outbreaks of different intensities are recorded each year in Bulgaria. With this work we attempt to clarify the main reasons leading to outbreaks of trichinellosis in the country and to compare the recorded incidence with that in other European countries. Subjects and methods In the present study, the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data of the trichinellosis outbreaks recorded in the country from 2008 to 2014 were analyzed. Epidemiological data based on a standard protocol with full case descriptions were collected for each region of the country and analyzed at the National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases in Sofia. Results Between 2008 and 2014, 29 outbreaks were recorded in Bugaria. Of 1670 people who consumed meat or meat products contaminated with Trichinella larvae, 710 were infected. The annual incidence of human trichinellosis for the period varied from 0.22 to 5.82 per 100,000 population. Studies using the polymerase chain reaction technique identified Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella britovi as the causative agents of trichinellosis among humans in Bulgaria. Conclusions Of all food-borne parasitic diseases, trichinellosis has the most pronounced negative effect on human health in the Republic of Bulgaria, and the country is still one of the European Union member states with a high human morbidity rate from trichinellosis.