Infectious Disease and Food Poisoning

By law doctors must notify the council of any cases of notifiable communicable diseases. The council also receives notifications of infectous diseaases from the Health Protection Agency, the public and local businesses.

Investigations are carried out by the council officers or the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC.)

After notification we may contact patients to find out where the infection may have started. This will involve the patient being interviewed and given advice on how to prevent the disease from spreading.

If a person with symptons works with food or is a health care / nursery worker, they cannot return to work until they are sympton-free for at least 48 hours or longer with certain types of food poisonings. They must also inform their employer of their symptons.

Childen under five years old or anyone unable to practice good standards of personal hygiene, are advised to keep away from school or other establishments until they have also been sympton-free for 48 hours.