About
ACOSS is CDC’s program for collecting and reporting data about outbreaks of human enteric illness linked to contact with animals or their environments. It is a part of the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS).
What's collected
ACOSS collects information about enteric illness outbreaks linked to contact with animals or their environments. This information includes:
- Date and location of the outbreak
- Number of ill people and their symptoms
- Type of animal
- Setting in which the outbreak occurred
- Pathogen (bacterium, virus, or parasite)
ACOSS uses its animal categorization scheme to categorize animals into three increasingly specific levels: biologic class, major group, and subgroup. These categories can help public health, regulatory, and animal health professionals use data collected in ACOSS in a consistent manner.
How the data are used
Each year in the United States, an estimated 450,000 illnesses, 5,000 hospitalizations, and 70 deaths result from enteric infections linked to contact with animals or their environments.
Although only a small portion of all illnesses are linked to outbreaks, the surveillance and reporting of animal contact outbreaks provide valuable insights into the pathogens, animals, settings, and other factors related to these illnesses. Knowing more about outbreaks increases our understanding of germs and their effects on human health. This knowledge helps CDC and its partners develop prevention measures.
Access the data
ACOSS data are available in the Bacteria, Enterics, Amoeba, and Mycotics (BEAM) Dashboard, an online tool for searching and accessing data reported to CDC through the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS).
Select "NORS View" in BEAM Dashboard to see data on animal contact disease outbreaks reported to CDC since 2009.
More information
What are enteric illnesses?
An enteric illness is an illness with prominent symptoms or signs involving the gastrointestinal tract. Common symptoms and signs are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and upset stomach. Most enteric illnesses are mild, lasting a few hours to several days. However, some lead to hospitalization, long-term health problems, or even death.
What are zoonoses?
Zoonoses or zoonotic diseases are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be passed from animals to humans. Some zoonoses are enteric illnesses, but not all enteric illnesses are zoonotic. The illnesses reported in ACOSS are caused by enteric pathogens that are zoonotic (such as Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, and Cryptosporidium), so they are referred to as enteric zoonoses.
Does ACOSS capture information on all reported enteric disease outbreaks?
No. Enteric pathogens can spread to people through various means, including through food, water, contact with people and animals, and environmental sources. ACOSS only captures enteric disease outbreaks caused by pathogens that are transmitted by animal contact.
Public health officials report all foodborne, waterborne, and enteric disease outbreaks transmitted by contact with people or animals, environmental sources, and unknown modes of transmission to CDC through the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS). You can search and access outbreak data reported through NORS on BEAM Dashboard.