WHO estimates of the global, regional, and national foodborne burdens of 14 invasive parasitic diseases, 2000–21: an updated data synthesis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Over 10 years ago, WHO estimates of hazard-specific foodborne disease burdens showed that parasites exert considerable health burdens globally. We updated these estimates, focusing on 14 invasive parasitic diseases. METHODS: Incidences, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) burdens were estimated for each parasitic disease from 2000 to 2021, using data from systematic reviews and the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study. For some diseases, structured expert judgement was used to estimate proportions of foodborne infection. Data were pooled via hierarchical meta-regression models with uncertainty propagated through Monte Carlo simulations following disease-specific computational models defined by incidence rates and probability parameters. FINDINGS: We estimated that 277 million illnesses were caused by potentially foodborne invasive parasites, with approximately 171 million attributable to foodborne transmission. Considerable heterogeneity by parasite, in magnitude and uncertainty, was observed. Of 4·89 million foodborne DALYs associated with these diseases, highest contributions were from Taenia solium (1·3 million) and Clonorchis sinensis (0·921 million), both also associated with most foodborne deaths. Burden was greatest in the region of the Americas, predominantly due to Chagas disease, followed by the African region, where neurocysticercosis-associated epilepsy caused most burden. Burdens decreased globally from 2000 to 2021, except in the Western Pacific region, where the burden, predominantly associated with clonorchiasis, is rising. INTERPRETATION: Foodborne parasitoses cause considerable suffering, with some populations and regions particularly at risk. These data provide a baseline by which effects of interventions can be assessed and emphasis directed to those parasites exerting the greatest burden. FUNDING: WHO.
Source: The Lancet Global Health
Authors: Lucy J Robertson, Yuki Minato, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Carlotta Di Bari, Louise Vaes, Karen H Keddy, Banchob Sripa, Kim Fernandez, Sara M Pires, Shannon E Majowicz, Robin J Lake, Charlee Roberts, Gabriela F Nane, Mirjam E Kretzschmar, Lapo Mughini-Gras, Ali Rostami, Hélène Carabin, Christine M Budke, Meritxell Donadeu, Paul R Torgerson
Institutions: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, World Health Organization, Ghent University, Sciensano (Belgium), University of Pretoria, Khon Kaen University, Technical University of Denmark, University of Waterloo, New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University, University of Münster, University Medical Center Utrecht, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Santé Québec Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Universitaire, Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Texas A&M University, The University of Melbourne, University of Zurich
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,680
OpenAlex ID: W7164843221