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.
• Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreaks at Facilities
  Access resources to control outbreaks and prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses like norovirus within your facility: toolkits, checklist log sheets, tips for communicating with parents and working with the media.
  Communicating with Parents | Tips for Working with the Media