PRESS RELEASE

WORKSHOP-FOOD BORNE DISEASE INVESTIGATIN AND SURVEILLANCE

Almost every Belizean, in his or her life, has suffered the unpleasant effects of a food-borne disease, commonly referred to as "food poisoning". However, very little is known about the frequency and the exact sources of these diseases. Where did the contamination take place: in the slaughterhouse or processing plant, in the store or restaurant where we bought the food, or was it the preparation or preservation of the food at home? In order to prevent the occurrence of food-borne diseases, we need to know its source and based hereon, we can develop an action plan for the prevention of such diseases.

With this in mind, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, mandated with ensuring Food Safety in Belize, this week hosted a Training Workshop on Food-borne Disease Investigation and Surveillance at the Central Investigation Laboratory Conference Centre in Belize City.

The Workshop was conducted by a Professional team from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) including Epidemiologists Dr. Eldonna Boisson and Mr. James Flint and the CAREC`s Program Manager for Food-Borne Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Lisa Indar .

The main objectives of the workshop were to:

1. Build capacity in the area of food-borne disease outbreak investigations;
2. To initiate the development of a laboratory surveillance system for food borne disease pathogens and;
3. To strengthen the diagnostic capacity of the BAHA laboratory for the identification of food-borne diseases.
4. To effect inter governmental and international collaboration and partnership between the key regulatory authorities and laboratories involved in food borne disease investigations and surveillance.

The workshop enjoyed participation of the Ministry of Health, a key partner in the promotion of food safety in Belize. Also in attendance were participants from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Bureau of Standards, The Pan American Health Organization and BAHA staff.

The workshop was officially opened by The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Servulo Baeza, who challenged the participants to openly discuss the issues and constraints involved in the provision of food safety in Belize, and seek to establish sound linkages between the various organizations by collaborating to reduce the global problem posed by contaminated food.

Belmopan, October 10, 2003

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