Research Article Open Access

Economic Impact of E. Coli O111 Outbreak in 1995 in Australia

Shahjahan Ali Khandaker1 and Mohammad Alauddin2
  • 1 Health Economics Unit, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • 2 School of Economics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD. 4072, Bangladesh

Abstract

Increased incidence of food-borne illnesses is a matter of significant concern for the community and the government alike. An outbreak of E. coli O111 that occurred in Australia in 1995 affected 200 people of whom 22 developed HUS while one person died. This study analyses the economic costs of the outbreak. The total cost of the outbreak is estimated to be A$5. 61 million. Productivity loss represented the highest percentage of outbreak costs (66%) due to death, disability and chronic illness. The direct medical costs contributed 33%. The estimated loss could be even higher if all costs could be quantified. Nevertheless, the findings provide an idea of the policy maker regarding the extent and nature of the damage that could result from an outbreak. The severity of the damage warrants allocation of necessary resources to prevent such occurrences."

American Journal of Applied Sciences
Volume 1 No. 4, 2004, 302-308

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2004.302.308

Submitted On: 8 July 2005 Published On: 31 December 2004

How to Cite: Khandaker, S. A. & Alauddin, M. (2004). Economic Impact of E. Coli O111 Outbreak in 1995 in Australia. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 1(4), 302-308. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2004.302.308

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Keywords

  • E. coli Outbreak
  • Food-Borne Illness
  • Economic Costs
  • Productivity Loss