Foodborne

In this mini-sode, we end episode 4 with a trip to the International Outbreak Museum in Portland, OR. Join us as we talk with epidemiologists who guide us through the museum, tell us about their favorite exhibits, and share memories of the museum’s creator, Dr. William “Bill” Keene.

Guests

• Hillary Booth, President of the International Outbreak Museum Board of Directors
• June Bancroft, Senior Epidemiologist, Oregon Health Authority

Resources
The International Outbreak Museum Website

In this episode, we gathered advice straight from our season one experts on what it means to work on these investigations. Join us, as we chat with them about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards in the field of infectious disease outbreak epidemiology. We hope you take a pizza advice with you from these experts in their dough-main.

Guests

• Hillary Booth, President of the International Outbreak Museum Board of Directors
• Dr. Lyndsay Bottichio; Platforms Division Director, Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Dr. Allison Longenberger, Epidemiologist Supervisor, Pennsylvania Department of Health
• Dr. Kirk Smith, Manager - Foodborne, Waterborne, Vectorborne, and Zoonotic Diseases Section, Minnesota Department of Health
• Josh Rounds, Epidemiologist Senior - Foodborne Diseases Unit, Minnesota Department of Health 
• June Bancroft, Senior Epidemiologist, Oregon Health Authority
• Dr. Sam Crowe; Senior Advisor, Office of Policy, Performance, and Evaluation; CDC

Resources

• Washington Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence Trainings
• Northwest Center for Public Health Practice Training Site
• Integrated Food Safety Centers of Excellence – Central Training Site

In this episode, we dive into the 2016 E. coli outbreak traced to raw flour, a surprising source that caught many off guard. Follow the investigation as public health experts uncovered how this everyday ingredient posed serious health risks, leading to significant changes in food safety practices and public awareness. This is one outbreak you just have to roll with.

Guests

• Dr. Lyndsay Bottichio; Platforms Division Director, Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Dr. Sam Crowe; Senior Advisor, Office of Policy, Performance, and Evaluation; CDC

Resources

• 2016 E. coli Outbreak Linked to Flour, CDC
• International Outbreak Museum Exhibit – Raw Flour E. coli
• Shiga Toxin–Producing E. coli Infections Associated with Flour, New England Journal of Medicine, 2017
• About Escherichia coli infection, CDC
• Handling flour safely, FDA

In this episode, we explore the 2012 Campylobacter jejuni outbreak linked to raw milk from a Pennsylvania dairy farm. Join us as we uncover how public health professionals investigated the source, addressed the risks of unpasteurized dairy, and gained crucial insights that continue to inform food safety today. This was one udderly difficult outbreak.

Guest

• Dr. Allison Longenberger, Epidemiologist Supervisor, Pennsylvania Department of Health

Resources

• Notes from the Field: Recurrent Outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni Infections Associated with a Raw Milk Dairy — Pennsylvania, April–May 2013, MMWR
• International Outbreak Museum Exhibit - Pennsylvania Raw Milk
• About Campylobacter infection, CDC
• Raw milk food safety, CDC

In this episode, we trace the path of a 2011 E. coli O157 outbreak linked to nuts that affected people across the U.S. Follow along as experts recount the challenges of linking cases across state lines, the innovative techniques used to uncover the source, and the critical lessons learned for future outbreaks. This was one tough nut to crack.

Guests

• Josh Rounds, Epidemiologist Senior - Foodborne Diseases Unit, Minnesota Department of Health
• Dr. Kirk Smith, Manager - Foodborne, Waterborne, Vectorborne, and Zoonotic Diseases Section, Minnesota Department of Health

Resources

• 2011 E. coli Outbreak Linked to In-Shell Hazelnuts, CDC
• International Outbreak Museum Exhibit – E. coli O157:H7 Hazelnuts
• Use of traceback methods to confirm the source of a multistate Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak due to in-shell hazelnuts, Journal of Food Protection, 2012
• About Escherichia coli infection, CDC

In this episode, we explore the 2011 Listeria outbreak that began in Colorado and spread across multiple states. Join us as we uncover how public health professionals identified key epidemiologic patterns, traced the source of the outbreak, and discuss approaches to preventing future outbreaks. This outbreak was one in a melon.

Guests

• Alicia Cronquist, COVID-19 Surveillance Program Manager, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Dr. Jeff McCollum, Director, Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention, Indian Health Service

Resources

• 2011 Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Whole Cantaloupes, CDC
• International Outbreak Museum Exhibit - Colorado Cantaloupe Listeria
• Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Associated with Jensen Farms Cantaloupe --- United States, August--September 2011, MMWR
• About Listeria infection, CDC