Introduction
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Scenario |
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On Tuesday, May 2, two hundred students attended the New Liskeard Arena Workplace Safety Event. Lunch was provided for all who attended. The menu included ham, turkey and vegetarian sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, and a cookie. Twelve students and a teacher complained of feeling ill. Symptoms included headache, nausea and vomiting, fever, chills, abdominal pain and body aches, a diarrhea. The ill students sought out the Health Care class to diagnose their ailments. The local health department was contacted to report what Health Care students suspected was a foodborne illness outbreak. |
Process
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Start of the Investigation |
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The health department immediately began an investigation. A district health officer contacted patients and confirmed the Health Care Students’ report of their illnesses as well as their attendance at the arena lunch. The health department prepared a questionnaire, which was distributed to all the people who fell ill and had attended the event. The questionnaire asked for the following information: ◼ Symptoms of the illness, ◼ Time the symptoms began, ◼ What foods the person ate. |