Strengthening surveillance of and response to foodborne diseases: stage one manual (part B): investigating foodborne disease outbreaks
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World Health Organization
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viii, 91 p.
This practical manual provides step-by-step guidance for investigating foodborne disease outbreaks, forming part of the first stage of WHO’s framework for strengthening surveillance and response systems. It is designed as an introductory, field-oriented resource to support rapid and effective outbreak investigation during acute public health events, particularly in countries developing their capacities. The manual is intended for public health practitioners, epidemiologists, laboratory personnel, food safety inspectors and other professionals involved in outbreak detection and response. The document outlines a structured, ten-step approach to outbreak investigation, organized into three phases: preparation before field deployment, field investigation, and post-investigation activities. It covers essential processes such as confirming the existence of an outbreak, defining and identifying cases, and describing the outbreak in terms of person, time and place, as well as generating and testing hypotheses through epidemiological, laboratory and environmental investigations. It also addresses trace-back activities, implementation of control measures and communication of findings. The manual emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and highlights that investigation steps may be iterative and adapted to local contexts. By providing practical tools and a clear operational framework, it supports early detection, effective control and prevention of foodborne disease outbreaks.
This practical manual provides step-by-step guidance for investigating foodborne disease outbreaks, forming part of the first stage of WHO’s framework for strengthening surveillance and response systems. It is designed as an introductory, field-oriented resource to support rapid and effective outbreak investigation during acute public health events, particularly in countries developing their capacities. The manual is intended for public health practitioners, epidemiologists, laboratory personnel, food safety inspectors and other professionals involved in outbreak detection and response. The document outlines a structured, ten-step approach to outbreak investigation, organized into three phases: preparation before field deployment, field investigation, and post-investigation activities. It covers essential processes such as confirming the existence of an outbreak, defining and identifying cases, and describing the outbreak in terms of person, time and place, as well as generating and testing hypotheses through epidemiological, laboratory and environmental investigations. It also addresses trace-back activities, implementation of control measures and communication of findings. The manual emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and highlights that investigation steps may be iterative and adapted to local contexts. By providing practical tools and a clear operational framework, it supports early detection, effective control and prevention of foodborne disease outbreaks.
Keywords
Foodborne Diseases, Disease Outbreaks, Epidemiologic Methods, Communicable Disease Control, Public Health Surveillance, Risk Assessment, Food Safety, Environmental Health, Laboratories, Data Management, Surveys and Questionnaires, Handbook, prevention and control, epidemiology, methods, standards, organization and administration