Simulation exercise of foodborne disease outbreaks among urban populations

Fatick, Senegal - The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Subregional Office for West Africa organized a simulation exercise of an outbreak of collective food poisoning, in collaboration with the Senegal National Codex Committee, under the Ministry of Health and Social Action. This exercise, held in Fatick from 30th July to 2nd August, was part of the project “Strengthening the Emergency Response Capacity for Food Safety and Improving Street Food Sanitary Quality in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal”, funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg."

“On Wednesday, 31st July, the National Fire Brigade was informed of cases of people vomiting and experiencing abdominal pain in a house where a family ceremony was taking place. Investigations revealed that the patients had arrived from different parts of the country the day before. Among the 70 cases referred, there were 20 severe cases hospitalized, including eight children under 5 years old, five elderly people over 70 years old, and two pregnant women, one of whom was 8 months pregnant. It was also reported that other health facilities informed the Regional Health Directorate (RHD) of numerous unusual cases with similar symptoms. Initial field investigations allowed for the collection of samples of the food consumed. Anomalies were found (expiration date falsification) in the labeling of sausage products remaining in the kitchen of the house where the cases originated. The head of the household stated that the supplies were obtained from a wholesaler at the large market. Upon questioning, the wholesaler revealed that he had received 2.5 tons of sausages from a neighboring country through intermediaries, without any authorization, the previous week. Additionally, this stock was stored in poor ventilation and hygiene conditions in a general food store. Part of the merchandise had already been sold, particularly in retail stores in the surrounding neighborhoods of Fatick commune, as well as other communes and departments in the region," explained the participants.

Faced with this health situation, the Fatick Regional Hygiene Brigade alerted the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) Emergency Contact Point (ECP). The INFOSAN Senegal Network Secretariat then analyzed the situation (collecting data and information from all sources, including relevant authorities, and evaluating the alert – incident, emergency, or crisis).

"Based on the information received, this situation is considered a crisis," said Mrs. Mame Diarra Faye Lèye, Focal Point of the National Codex Committee and INFOSAN contact point in Senegal. "The INFOSAN Senegal Network has prepared a draft order for convening the Regional Incident Management System (RIMS), signed by the Governor of Fatick. The RIMS also proposed a lead agency, which could be the Regional Director of Commerce or Livestock, or the regional hygiene service head, to provide an effective response to this crisis," she added.

This exercise aimed to strengthen the capacities of various stakeholders in Senegal's national food safety system. More specifically, it sought to verify the operational procedures of the National Food Safety Emergency Response Plan (FoSERP) related to the identification, evaluation, management, and communication of an incident.

"Through this large-scale simulation exercise, we aim to provide a coordinated and rapid response to limit damage in the case of collective food poisoning. The national food safety emergency response plan outlines the process to be implemented in crisis situations. It was necessary to test the procedures to see if they align with real-world conditions," indicated Mrs. Mame Diarra Faye Lèye, Focal Point of the National Codex Committee and INFOSAN contact point in Senegal.

FAO and World Health Organization (WHO) have recommended for states to prepare the national food safety emergency response plans. "We assisted Senegal between 2015 and 2018 in creating such a plan, and it was the first country to have one. The FoSERP was developed to help Senegal better manage foodborne health crises," stated Dr. Mamadou Ndiaye, Food Safety Expert at the FAO Subregional Office for West Africa.

Following this simulation, participants gained a strong understanding of emerging risks. "We urge the authorities for their commitment to making this exercise a success. Through this exercise, we have strengthened our capacities in the area of food safety emergency response by operationalizing the FoSERP. The knowledge and ownership of the standard operational procedures defined in the FoSERP by the authorities responsible for food safety emergency response are also reinforced. Moreover, multisectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration for a better response to food safety emergencies in Senegal and mastering communication procedures during food safety emergencies are strengthened," noted Professor Amadou Diouf, President of the National Codex Alimentarius Committee.

It is worth noting that this simulation exercise, in its second phase, brought together nearly a hundred participants, including community actors, administrative and local authorities (Governors, Prefects, and Mayors), INFOSAN focal points, representatives from the Fatick Regional Directorate of Health, regional food safety authorities, consumer associations, defense and security forces, food sector operators, and experts from FAO and WHO.