Analysis of seasonal characteristics of foodborne diarrheagenic Escherichia coli outbreaks based on circular distribution method in China’s Mainland

ObjectiveTo provide scientific basis for preventing foodborne outbreaks and carrying out targeted prevention and control measures， the seasonal characteristics of foodborne diarrheagenic Escherichia coli outbreaks in China’s Mainland from 2010 to 2020 was analyzed.MethodsCircular distribution method was used to analyze the data about diarrheagenic Escherichia coli outbreaks which was collected by Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System from 2010 to 2020.ResultsFrom 2010 to 2020， a total of 349 foodborne diarrheagenic Escherichia coli outbreaks were reported in China’s Mainland. Generally， the peak of Escherichia coli outbreaks was from May to September （74.50%， 260/349）， and there was a significant centralized trend in event distribution， with the peak day on July 10. The epidemic peak period was from April 24 to September 25.ConclusionThere is an obvious seasonal trend in foodborne diarrheagenic Escherichia coli outbreaks in China’s Mainland， and the peak period is in summer and autumn. Effective prevention and control measures should be taken in time before the peak period.