Holly Wethington, MS and Paul Bartlett, MPH, PhD, DVM. National Food Safety & Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, 165 Food Safety & Tox Bldg, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, 517/432-3100x128, wethingt@msu.edu

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, numerous foodborne pathogens have emerged in the United States during the past thirty years. New agricultural techniques, food processing operations, and the globalization of the food supply have all played central roles in this problem. Surveillance’s three primary purposes are disease prevention and control, knowledge of disease causation, and administrative guidance. However, the fact that foodborne illness reporting remains laboratory based nearly obstructs prevention and control of such outbreaks given the time element involved with investigators following up on a report. A critical discussion of the current method of foodborne disease surveillance follows along with a description of an online forum for reporting suspected cases of foodborne illness. Data entry patterns collected from visitors to this website suggest certain individuals are willing to report a suspected case of foodborne illness electronically.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• name major factors as to why foodborne diseases are a public health problem in the US;
• describe the current method of foodborne illness reporting in the US; and
• discuss the concept of internet-based reporting by the public and hopefully provide an opinion if this is an acceptable inclusion to foodborne illness surveillance.

Keywords: Food Safety, Surveillance

Related Web page: www.rusick2.msu.edu

Awards: Student Achievement Award - Recipient

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.ppt format, 683.5 kb)