How is a food borne disease outbreak defined?

A foodborne disease outbreak is defined as the occurrence of two or more similar illnesses resulting from the consumption of a common food. This definition emphasizes the need for at least two instances of illness that are linked to the same food source, indicating that there is a systemic problem or contaminant present that is affecting multiple individuals. Such outbreaks typically prompt investigations to identify the source of contamination, whether it be due to bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical agents, in order to prevent further cases.

The choice reflecting a single case of illness does not meet the threshold typically required to classify it as an outbreak, as outbreaks imply a broader public health concern. The mention of any single illness or simply any contamination of food products does not adequately capture the specific criteria used by health organizations to define an outbreak, which centers on the shared experience of illness among a group of people.