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Food Poisoning and Infectious Disease Control
The Department routinely carries out investigation of cases of food poisoning reported to them by the Public Health Laboratory Service, normally as a result of patients consulting their GP. Many of these investigations are conducted over the telephone but more severe infections are normally dealt with by a visit to the patient. Our aim is two-fold: -
- to try and identify the source of the infection;
- to prevent the spread of any such infection either in the household, social contacts or through workplace activity (foodhandlers, nursing and care staff pose higher risk of transmission).
What to do if you suffer from gastro-enteritis or suspected food poisoning
Consult your GP. If they suspect you are suffering from an infectious disease they will ask you to provide a specimen for diagnosis purposes.
Contact this Department
Telephone this Department on (01249) 706555 if you suspect that your illness has been caused as a result of food poisoning.
Where possible provide details of meals consumed over the past 3 days; travel abroad and in the UK; contact with other persons displaying similar symptoms.
Remember: it is not necessarily the last meal consumed that is the source of the infection – some infections have an incubation period of several days.
Just because other unaffected persons may have consumed similar foods does not mean that those foods are not the source of infection – people have varying degrees of susceptibility to infection.
Where possible provide details of meals consumed over the past 3 days; travel abroad and in the UK; contact with other persons displaying similar symptoms.
Remember: it is not necessarily the last meal consumed that is the source of the infection – some infections have an incubation period of several days.
Just because other unaffected persons may have consumed similar foods does not mean that those foods are not the source of infection – people have varying degrees of susceptibility to infection.
Practice Good Personal Hygiene
Particularly when dealing with cases of diarrhoea and vomiting:
Wash hands thoroughly, preferably using anti-bacterial soap, after using the toilet.
If you are a food handler, nursing or care staff, report your illness to your manager / supervisor.
As with all matters of a medical nature, your personal details and any information you provide will be dealt with in strict confidence.
This Authority will also liaise with other Local Authorities in the investigation and control of other infectious diseases within the District.
Wash hands thoroughly, preferably using anti-bacterial soap, after using the toilet.
If you are a food handler, nursing or care staff, report your illness to your manager / supervisor.
As with all matters of a medical nature, your personal details and any information you provide will be dealt with in strict confidence.
This Authority will also liaise with other Local Authorities in the investigation and control of other infectious diseases within the District.
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