Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Biological Hazards

Abstract

SUMMARY Toxoplasmosis has the highest human incidence amongst the parasitic zoonoses. However, toxoplasmosis is considered to be an under-detected and underreported disease in the European Union. Toxoplasmosis and agents thereof have to be reported by Member States according to their epidemiological situation (Directive 2003/99/EC). Despite this fact, no representative data are available for Toxoplasma in the EU, neither for humans nor for animals or food. To improve data collection and to better evaluate the disease burden of toxoplasmosis, the Biological Hazard Panel is asked to give recommendations for optimising the surveillance and monitoring in humans, animals and foodstuffs and to give advice regarding methods for detection and identification of Toxoplasma from food and animals. The assessment incorporates general aspects of Toxoplasma and human toxoplasmosis such as the life cycle of agent, infection sources and risk factors, clinical aspects in humans as well as disease burden. Furthermore, existing surveillance and monitoring systems for humans, animals used for human consumption and foodstuffs and currently used methods for the direct or indirect detection of Toxoplasma in respective matrices are reviewed.