Food-borne Illness Outbreaks

Food Borne Illnesses:

IDPH Food Borne Illnesses Information

 

What are food and water borne illnesses?

Food- and water-borne illnesses may be caused by toxins created by growing bacteria; toxins produced by the harmful algal species; or contamination of food and/or water with certain bacteria, viruses or parasites. Many cases of food poisoning happen when someone eats food that has harmful bacteria in it. The bacteria or the toxins produced by them can then make the person sick. Bacteria also can get into the water supply and make someone sick.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define the greatest threats of food- and water-borne illnesses to be from among the following bacteria:

  • Salmonella species
  • Shigella dysenteriae
  • Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli)
  • Vibrio cholerae
  • Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum)

“Food & Water Borne Illnesses.” IDPH Food Borne Illnesses Information. Web. 25 June 2015.