In 2021 there was an overall increase in reported cases of zoonotic diseases and foodborne outbreaks compared to the previous year, but levels are still well below those of the pre-pandemic years.The general drop compared to pre-pandemic years in reported cases and outbreaks is probably linked to COVID-19 control measures, which were still in place in 2021. Among the few exceptions are the number of cases for yersiniosis and those of foodborne listeriosis outbreaks, which exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Concerning Listeria monocytogenes, on the one hand the number of outbreaks caused by Listeria monocytogenes (23) was the highest ever reported. This might be linked to the increased use of whole genome sequencing techniques, which allow scientists to better detect and define outbreaks. On the other hand, the number of confirmed cases of human listeriosis in 2021 was 2183, corresponding to an EU notification rate of 0,49 per 100,000 population and resulting in an increase of 14% in the notification rate compared with the rate in 2020. Fewer cases were reported in 2020, which could partially beexplained by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on national healthcare systems and the withdrawalof the United Kingdom from the EU.

• The EU One Health 2021 Zoonoses  report is available on the EFSA website or ECDC website.
• Published with the brand new interactive tools on Listeria monocytogenes: EFSA STORY MAP on Listeria monocytogenes 

-> News on EFSA and ECDC websites.