Foodborne Disease Outbreak Investigation Training: A Tale of Two Resources

BACKGROUND: Successful investigation of a foodborne disease outbreak requires a team with knowledge and skills in epidemiology, environmental health, laboratory science, and communications.  The CIFOR Guidelines for Foodborne Disease Outbreak Response promotes training of outbreak investigation teams to ensure that members can perform their individual roles, understand the roles of other team members, and can work together toward a common goal.

METHODS: Two new resources are available to train public health workers in foodborne disease outbreak investigation: “Classroom Training in Foodborne Outbreak Response:  Basics for the Team” and “Team Approach to Foodborne Outbreak Response.”  In this presentation, developers will provide a brief history of each training resource and compare and contrast these resources. 

RESULTS: “Classroom Training in Foodborne Outbreak Response” is an electronic set of training materials (e.g., PowerPoint slides, speakers’ notes, student handouts, and exercises) that can be downloaded from the Internet and used at no charge.  Materials are derived from Michigan’s “Foodborne Illness Response Strategy Training” and National Environmental Health Association’s “Epi-Ready.” “Classroom Training in Foodborne Outbreak Response” covers activities performed by each investigation team member, the resulting information, and how that information is useful to other team members.  Agencies using the materials must supply their own instructors. “Team Approach to Foodborne Outbreak Response” is a direct-delivered course, funded by the Department of Homeland Security and provided free of charge by trained instructors.  The course, developed by the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT) at Louisiana State University, consists of lectures supplemented by interactive exercises.  The course focuses on communications and identifies how skills, resources, and expertise at all levels of government can be connected to work together during an outbreak response.  “Classroom Training in Foodborne Outbreak Response” is appropriate for entry level public health workers. “Team Approach to Foodborne Outbreak Response” assumes participants have some expertise and experience in foodborne disease outbreak response.  Although both resources focus on the investigation team, “Team Approach to Foodborne Outbreak Response” requires participants to attend as a team, whereas “Classroom Training in Foodborne Outbreak Response” does not.  Materials from “Classroom Training in Foodborne Outbreak Response” can be customized to meet local needs.  “Team Approach to Foodborne Outbreak Response” cannot be customized nor taught by anyone outside of NCBRT.

CONCLUSIONS: One or both of these training resources might be appropriate for members of a state or local outbreak investigation team, depending on the experience and cohesiveness of the existing team.