Outbreak Detection
Outbreaks are detected in a variety of ways at the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Routine surveillance interviews
- Some outbreaks are detected through routine surveillance activities that include interviewing all persons who are diagnosed with a reportable disease.
- An investigation is initiated when multiple cases report a common exposure, such as eating a common food item, eating at a common restaurant, or having contact with an identical water source, daycare, or school.
- Some outbreaks are detected through routine surveillance activities that include interviewing all persons who are diagnosed with a reportable disease.
- Reports of suspected foodborne illness
- The Minnesota Department of Health receives reports of suspected foodborne illness from the general public through local health departments or through the MDH foodborne illness hotline.
- Reporting Suspected Foodborne Illness
Please call the Minnesota Department of Health if you suspect you have a foodborne or waterborne illness. MDH will relay the necessary information to the appropriate local health authorities.
Why should I call the foodborne illness hotline? | What do I need to know before I call? | What are the hotline hours? | What happens after I call? | Hotline print materials
- Reporting Suspected Foodborne Illness
- Healthcare providers may report suspected foodborne illness outbreaks if they see an unexpected number of patients with gastrointestinal illness.
- Restaurants, daycare providers, schools, and healthcare facilities (i.e., hospitals, long-term care facilities) may also report outbreaks to MDH.
- The Minnesota Department of Health receives reports of suspected foodborne illness from the general public through local health departments or through the MDH foodborne illness hotline.
