Explain why it is difficult to get an accurate picture of the incidence offoodborne disease in Australia (5 marks)

Underreporting and Misdiagnosis: One of the main reasons it is difficult to get an accurate picture of the incidence of foodborne disease in Australia is due to underreporting and misdiagnosis. Many people who fall ill due to foodborne diseases do not seek medical attention, and even when they do, the illness may not be correctly diagnosed as a foodborne disease.

Lack of Surveillance: There is a lack of comprehensive surveillance systems for foodborne diseases in Australia. This means that many cases may go unreported or unnoticed, making it difficult to accurately determine the incidence of these diseases.

Variability in Data Collection: There is also variability in the methods used to collect data on foodborne diseases across different states and territories in Australia. This can lead to inconsistencies in the data, making it difficult to get an accurate picture of the incidence of foodborne disease.

Asymptomatic Cases: Some foodborne diseases may not cause any symptoms in infected individuals, or the symptoms may be mild and not recognized as being due to a foodborne disease. These asymptomatic cases are not reported, leading to an underestimation of the true incidence of foodborne diseases.

Delay in Reporting: There can often be a significant delay between when a person becomes ill from a foodborne disease and when the illness is reported to health authorities. This delay can make it difficult to accurately track the incidence of foodborne diseases.