CDC has been working with state, local, and tribal health departments, the Indian Health Service, and the Food and Drug Administration to investigate a large, multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul. The outbreak appears to be over. However, CDC and state health departments are continuing to conduct surveillance for cases of infection with the outbreak strain. Public health officials also continue... more on Salmonella Saintpaul investigation »
Spotlight: "Salmonella in the Caribbean" Epidemiologic Case Study
Epidemiological case studies help public health professionals develop and practice the skills they need to detect and investigate outbreaks of various types of illnesses. A recent case study, "Salmonella in the Caribbean", is now available online, and focuses on surveillance issues as well as outbreak detection, investigation, and control methods related to an important foodborne illness.
Most people do not think about foodborne illness until they become ill from unknowingly consuming contaminated food. While the food supply in the United States is one of the safest in the world, CDC estimates that each year 76 million cases of foodborne illness occur and more than 300,000 persons are hospitalized and 5,000 die from foodborne illness. Tracking individual foodborne illnesses and investigating outbreaks of foodborne disease are critical public health functions and CDC is deeply involved in these activities.