Food poisoning and infectious diseases

We investigate confirmed and suspected cases of diseases such as food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid and viral hepatitis.

By law doctors are required to notify the local health authority of anyone who is, or is suspected of, suffering from food poisoning and details are passed to us for investigation.

Once a food poisoning notification is received, we will contact the person with the symptoms and ask them questions to try to identify the source of the problem:

  • details of their symptoms
  • what and where they've eaten in the last 48 hours
  • whether they have been in contact with anyone else suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting or whether anyone else they have eaten with has experienced any symptoms
  • whether they've been on holiday abroad
  • whether their GP has taken a faecal sample.

We also investigate outbreaks of viral and bacterial gastro-enteritis in schools and residential homes etc.

If you think you might be suffering from food poisoning or any other infectious disease, you should contact your GP as soon as possible.

Information sources

If you would like further information about infectious diseases or would like advice on measures to control the spread of infection (for example, within schools or residential homes) please contact us.