Which pathogen is the second most reported cause of foodborne illness in the United States?

Which pathogen is the second most reported cause of foodborne illness in the United States?

• A. Shigella
• B. Campylobacter
• C. Salmonella
• D. Norovirus

Answer: (B)

The situation tests recognizing which pathogens most commonly show up in foodborne illness reports. Norovirus is the most frequently reported cause because it spreads easily and causes illness across all ages and settings. Campylobacter is the second most commonly reported agent, especially tied to exposures from poultry, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated water. It’s a leading bacterial cause of gastroenteritis, producing symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Its high reporting rate comes from widespread dietary exposures and the fact that many infections are identified and documented in clinical labs, even when cases aren’t part of large outbreaks. In contrast, Shigella occurs less frequently overall than Campylobacter, and while Salmonella is also a major cause, the common surveillance pattern places Campylobacter ahead of it in many datasets. Norovirus stands out as the top cause, which is why Campylobacter is identified as the second most reported.

The situation tests recognizing which pathogens most commonly show up in foodborne illness reports. Norovirus is the most frequently reported cause because it spreads easily and causes illness across all ages and settings. Campylobacter is the second most commonly reported agent, especially tied to exposures from poultry, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated water. It’s a leading bacterial cause of gastroenteritis, producing symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Its high reporting rate comes from widespread dietary exposures and the fact that many infections are identified and documented in clinical labs, even when cases aren’t part of large outbreaks.

In contrast, Shigella occurs less frequently overall than Campylobacter, and while Salmonella is also a major cause, the common surveillance pattern places Campylobacter ahead of it in many datasets. Norovirus stands out as the top cause, which is why Campylobacter is identified as the second most reported.