Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Foodborne diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) outbreaks constitute a significant global public health concern, yet comprehensive data on outbreak incidence and epidemiological characteristics in China remain limited. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? Between 2011 and 2022, there were 413 foodborne DEC outbreaks reported to foodborne disease outbreak surveillance system, resulting in 8,127 illnesses, 2,565 hospitalizations, and one fatality. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) emerged as the predominant causative pathogen (48.82% of outbreaks), with school canteens being the most frequent outbreak setting (21.79%). WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? This systematic analysis of foodborne DEC outbreak trends and epidemiological characteristics in China over the past decade provides crucial insights for enhancing outbreak investigation capabilities and identifying specific etiologies, food vehicles, and high-risk settings associated with these outbreaks.