Epidemiological profile of the collective Foodborne Toxi-Infections in Marrakech city (Morocco)

Problem considered

Despite the implementation of food safety regulations in Morocco, Collective Foodborne Toxi-Infections (CFTIs) continue to represent a persistent public health issue. The present study aimed to assess their epidemiological profile in Marrakech city.

Methods

The manuscript presents a comprehensive study on the state of food poisoning in Marrakech city, Morocco, from 2018 to 2022. Data were collected from hospital records, epidemiological surveillance reports, and laboratory-confirmed cases to provide a comprehensive analysis. Microbiological analysis of food poisonings was conducted at the Regional Laboratory for Epidemiological Diagnosis, Marrakech.

Results

During the study period, CFTIs constituted a substantial public health threat, with 67 recorded outbreaks. The majority of outbreaks occurred in urban areas (86.67 %) and during summer (76.67 %). Most affected were individuals under 30 (56.96 %) and females (60 %), with children and adolescents being highly vulnerable. Dairy and pastry shops were the primary outbreak sites (44.16 %), with vegetables and fruits (31.45 %) being the most commonly implicated food items. Causative agents were identified among 77.79 % of the outbreaks. Escherichia coli (35.56 %), yeast and molds (20 %), and Staphylococcus aureus (16.67 %) were the most prevalent, and outbreaks of polymicrobial contamination were reported.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the urgent need to identify contamination sources and enforce hygienic practices. Notably, Morocco demonstrates relatively favorable epidemiological statistics compared to certain European states, alongside marked improvements in food safety indicators versus other developing countries. Enhanced food safety training, improved surveillance systems, and more stringent regulatory controls remain critical to sustain this progress and further reduce outbreak incidence.