Denmark: COVID factors cited in Danish foodborne illness decline

The number of people diagnosed with a foodborne illness in Denmark fell sharply in 2020, according to an annual report on infections. The report by the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Statens Serum Institut (SSI) and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) found Coronavirus pandemic restrictions played a role in the decline. A significant reduction in travel was listed as the primary reason for the sharp decrease in patients. It was also attributed to the fact that Danish people were less likely to visit the doctor with minor illness symptoms during the lockdown. “In addition to the changes in Danes’ travel patterns and the reduced number of doctor’s visits that were bought about by the COVID-19 epidemic, the overall corona restrictions such as the closure of restaurants and canteens contributed to the decrease in registered foodborne illness cases in 2020,” said Luise Müller, an epidemiologist from SSI. A third of 5,000 Danes ...