Food Poisoining

Doctors have a duty to report food poisonings and certain infectious disease cases to the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC). We have a duty to investigate food poisoning and certain infectious diseases.

Food poisoning occurs after eating or drinking something that is contaminated by germs or sometimes chemicals. Infectious Diseases are very diverse and may not be exclusively spread by a lack of Food safety but person to person contact as with Hepatitis A or contaminated environments such as water. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains and diarrhoea that may come on suddenly (usually within 48 hours) of consuming a contaminated food or drink. 

Depending on the contaminant, this may cause fever, chills, bloody stool and dehydration.  These symptoms may affect one person or a group of people who ate the same food causing an outbreak. Even food which looks and tastes alright can cause food poisoning. Raw food, especially meats and raw poultry contain germs which can cause food poisoning.

For further information please contact your GP or NHS Direct.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 15:11