Outbreak Detection

Purpose

PulseNet is often the first step in identifying a widespread foodborne outbreak. Investigations have brought about lasting changes in food industry practices and new regulations that have made our food safer. PulseNet works closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Central Pillar of U.S. Food Safety System

PulseNet solves outbreaks of foodborne disease. Scientists detect outbreaks—large and small—by connecting the dots between cases of similar illness that are happening anywhere in the country. During outbreak investigations, scientists can use PulseNet data to identify the specific type of bacteria that caused people to get sick, track down the food that was contaminated, and find out what happened to cause the contamination.

Laboratories on the PulseNet network use whole genome sequencing to piece together and identify the DNA fingerprints of the bacteria causing people to get sick. Scientists study these fingerprints and post their finding on a message board so other laboratories across the country are aware of their findings.

The goals of PulseNet are to provide real-time surveillance of bacterial foodborne diseases and assist epidemiologists in investigating outbreaks. PulseNet also provides a rapid and effective means of communication between public health laboratories.

The Basics of Detecting Foodborne Outbreaks

  1. State, local, or federal laboratories analyze data generated in real time using DNA fingerprinting. Public health microbiologists enter this information into an electronic database and submit the data immediately to CDC.
  2. CDC scientists review the DNA fingerprints from the electronic database and identify the bacteria making people sick. They do this by looking for groups of matching patterns, or clusters.
  3. State and local health departments are notified about a possible outbreak.
  4. Scientists work with FDA and USDA officials, epidemiologists, environmental health specialists to identify the contaminated food. If a link is found between cases (or clusters), it is then classified as an outbreak.
  5. The public is alerted of the outbreak, and the manufacturer may voluntarily recall the contaminated food item(s).

PulseNet rapidly identifies potential outbreaks through cluster detection. The goals of PulseNet are to provide real-time monitoring of bacterial foodborne diseases and assist epidemiologists in investigating outbreaks. PulseNet also provides a rapid and effective means of communication between public health laboratories.

More than just food

In addition to foodborne outbreaks, PulseNet has also identified outbreaks causes by bacteria identified from:

  • Pet turtles
  • Hedgehogs
  • Petting zoo animals
  • Rodents
  • Reptiles
  • Animal feed, and
  • Recreational water such as lakes, pools, and streams

Bacteria PulseNet Monitors

PulseNet monitors and detects outbreaks for these foodborne illness causing bacteria:

Clostridium botulinum, which causes the foodborne illness Botulism, is considered a Select Agent and is not currently monitored by PulseNet.

For more information on current CDC foodborne outbreak investigations, visit the CDC Food Safety website.

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)