WHAT

Release of two reports, Foodborne Illness Acquired in the United States—Major Pathogens and Foodborne Illness Acquired in the United States—Unspecified Agents, which are being published in an upcoming edition of CDC's Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal.

WHY

This is a report on the burden of foodborne diseases in the United States. The report provides new and more precise estimates on illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses acquired in this country. These new estimates underscore that foodborne illness remains to be a substantial public health problem that affects millions of Americans each year. More precise estimates will help CDC and our partners as we assess how best to track, combat, and ultimately prevent the foodborne illnesses acquired in the United States.

WHO

Chris Braden, M.D., Acting Director, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, CDC

Elaine Scallan, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Colorado-Boulder

WHEN

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 11:00am ET.

DIAL-IN

Media: 888-795-0855
Listen Only: 800-779-2692
International: 1-415-228-4949
Passcode: CDC Media

Important Instructions: If you would like to ask a question during the call, press *1 on your touchtone phone. Press *2 to withdraw your question. You may queue up at any time. You will hear a tone to indicate your question is pending.

LISTEN-ONLY AUDIO WEBCAST

This press briefing media will also be available via listen-only audio web site at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=75126. We strongly encourage non-media participants to use the webcast.

TRANSCRIPT

A transcript of this media availability will be available following the briefing at the CDC web site at www.cdc.gov/media.