What is Food-borne Illness?

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 76 million people get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 Americans die each year from food-borne illness.

Food-borne illness is caused by eating contaminated food.  Most of these illnesses are caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses (such as salmonella, shigella, staphylococcus, streptococcus, Norwalk virus, Hepatitis A virus and E. coli.), as well as parasites that can be food-borne.  Other diseases are caused by harmful toxins or chemicals that have contaminated the food (e.g. poisonous mushrooms).  Each particular food-borne illness has many different symptoms, but nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea are common symptoms.

An outbreak of food-borne illness is usually when two or more cases of illness occur from a common meal or source.  Environmental health professionals work together with public health nurses to investigate outbreaks of food-borne illness.

Doctors and clinical laboratories are required to notify the Health Department when certain diseases are diagnosed, in order to detect outbreaks and to protect public health. These include infections with Salmonella, E. coli O157, and other food-borne diseases.  Contact physician about appropriate tests.

If you think you or others became ill from eating the same food, contact a physician regarding tests to confirm the disease.  Please report outbreak to the Health Department.  By investigating outbreaks, public health officials learn about problems in food production that lead to illness.  Applying what is learned in the investigation of one outbreak can help prevent future illnesses.

Individuals or health care providers may report an incident of food-related diseases in Cowlitz County to the Health Department.  Physicians are required by law to report such illnesses by calling the Reportable Disease 24-hour Hotline (360-414-5599).

Related Health Department Web Links

• Food Establishment Permits

• Food Complaints

• Food Handler's Testing

• Food Service Inspections

• Restaurant Inspection Reports

• Hepatitis A

• Plan Reviews

• Temporary Food Permits

• Consumer Food Safety

Related Outside Websites

• A Primer for Physicians

• Partnership for Food Safety Education

• Foodborne Illness Fact Sheet (USDA)

What services do environment health professionals provide for Cowlitz County?

• Investigation of symptoms, possible sources and potential for epidemic spread of food-borne illness. 

• Inspection, investigation and remediation of incidents of food-related illness at food service establishments.

• Closure of food service establishments as necessary.

• Advice and referrals for treatment to those individuals afflicted with food-borne illness.

• Education of private care health providers and teachers regarding the prevention of food-borne illness and the identification of symptoms. 

• Education of food service operators, food handlers and the general public on food safety measures.

Transmission

Transmission of the disease occurs through ingesting food contaminated by infected persons or animals, or as a result of cross contamination in food processing.

Populations at Risk

Persons at high risk of life-threatening infection include young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems or chronic disease. 

Symptoms

Symptoms may include   nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches, dizziness, tiredness, weakness and fever.  Most food-borne illness cases are not serious and only last about 24 hours.

Prevention

Several measures you can take to prevent food-related illness include: 

• Washing hands and food contact surfaces before handling food.

• Separate foods - Do not cross contaminate. 

• Cook foods to proper temperatures.

• Refrigerate food promptly.

How do you report a food-borne illness incident?

There are two ways to lodge a food complaint:  You may call the Reportable Disease Hotline or  visit the Health Department in person. You will be asked to give the following information: the nature of the complaint, name and location where the incident occurred, and your name and phone number for additional information as needed.