Steps in a Multistate Foodborne Outbreak Investigation

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CDC investigates each multistate foodborne outbreak thoroughly using a 7-step process.
The steps are described in order, but investigations are dynamic and several steps may happen at the same time. Click on each step to learn more.

STEP
1
Detect
Detect a possible outbreak by monitoring for reported illnesses nationwide
Detect
STEP
2
Find
Define who will be included in the outbreak and look for additional sick people
Find
STEP
3
Generate
Generate hypotheses (potential explanations) by interviewing people about what they ate before getting sick
Generate
STEP
4
Test
Test hypotheses by comparing what sick people ate to what people who are not part of the outbreak ate
Test
STEP
5
Solve
Confirm the contaminated food using epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback information and identify the point of contamination
Solve
STEP
6
Control
Stop the outbreak by recalling contaminated food, cleaning or closing food facilities, and providing advice to people and businesses
Control
STEP
7
Decide
Decide the outbreak is over when illnesses stop and the contaminated food is no longer available
Decide