Investigating Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

MDH has developed a model for investigating foodborne illness using a centralized group of epidemiologists and interviewers coordinated with local environmental health departments. This approach allows us to rapidly respond to reports of outbreaks, standardize outbreak investigations, maintain a statewide database of foodborne disease, and distribute information quickly and consistently.

• Foodborne Outbreak Basics
  Information about what an outbreak is and how you can find out if one is occurring.
  • Reporting Suspected Foodborne and Waterborne Illness
    Please contact 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.
    
    
• Outbreak Detection
  Outbreaks are detected in a variety of ways at the Minnesota Department of Health.
  
  
• Outbreak Investigations
  Investigations usually involve coordination between epidemiologists and environmental health inspectors.
  
  
• Outbreak Statistics
  Minnesota Department of Health Gastroenteritis Outbreak Summary, this publication contains statistics and summaries of outbreaks that occurred in Minnesota during the year.
  
  
• Foodborne Outbreaks at Schools, Child Care, and Long-term Care Facilities
  Checklist log sheets, communicating with parents, and tips for working with the media.
  Communicating with Parents | Tips for Working with the Media
  

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Spotlight

Protect others if you are experiencing diarrhea!
Anyone with a diarrheal illness should avoid swimming in public pools or lakes, sharing baths with others, and preparing food for others. Young children (children in diapers) that are experiencing diarrhea should not be allowed to go swimming.

Contact us:

If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.