4 - Detection, investigation and control of outbreaks of foodborne disease

Abstract

The investigation and control of foodborne disease outbreaks are multi-disciplinary tasks requiring training and skills in clinical medicine, epidemiology, laboratory medicine, food microbiology and chemistry, food safety and food control, and risk communication and management. Many outbreaks of foodborne diseases are poorly investigated, if investigated at all, because these skills are often unavailable or because a field investigator is expected to master them all single-handedly without proper training. This chapter is written for all professionals involved in the investigation and control of foodborne disease outbreaks. It focuses largely on practical aspects of outbreak investigation and control, but in doing so provides generic guidance that can be adapted to local requirements. Detailed information about the steps of such efforts is given, including the planning and preparation, detection of outbreaks, investigation and control measures. Despite a clear focus on foodborne diseases, much of the material in this chapter is also applicable to the investigation of outbreaks of other communicable and non-communicable diseases.