Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation Survey for FSIS Public Health Partners

OMB Number: 0583-XXXX

Exp. Date:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE (FSIS)

Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation Survey

Dear Public Health and Food Safety Partner,

We are seeking feedback from state public health and food safety agencies to identify opportunities to strengthen collaborative responses to foodborne illness outbreaks. Thank you for taking the time to provide your input.

The first question will ask about outbreak notification frequency. Please note that we are not asking about how often outbreaks associated with FSIS-regulated products occur in your state. Rather, we are asking how often your state notifies FSIS if such outbreaks occur.

1. Please indicate the frequency with which your state notifies FSIS when evidence suggests a potential association between a foodborne illness outbreak and an FSIS-regulated product (meat, poultry, or processed egg products).

X--------------X--------------X--------------X--------------X

Never Rarely Sometimes Very Often Always

2. Please indicate the primary reasons that your state may not always notify FSIS when evidence suggests a potential association between a foodborne illness outbreak and an FSIS-regulated product (meat, poultry, or processed egg products). (select all that apply)

1. We do not think we need to notify FSIS of outbreaks.

2. We are not aware of a contact at FSIS to notify.

3. Jurisdiction (whether FSIS, FDA, or other agency) is not always clear.

4. Notifying FSIS is not in our written outbreak response procedures.

5. We do not think FSIS is interested in localized outbreaks.

6. We report outbreaks to CDC; we assume CDC will notify FSIS, if needed.

7. Another agency in my state is responsible for notifying FSIS (please list agency: ______________________________).

8. Other (please specify: ______________________________).

3. In your state, which laboratory primarily conducts analysis of outbreak-related food samples for pathogens? (select all that apply)

1. State health laboratory

2. State agriculture laboratory

3. Other state agency’s laboratory (please specify: ______________________________)

4. Local agency’s laboratory (please specify: ______________________________)

5. Regional laboratory or laboratory in another state (please specify: ______________________________)

6. Third-party laboratory (please specify: ______________________________)

7. We do not have a laboratory that conducts analysis of outbreak-related food samples.

8. Other/comments: ______________________________

4. Please identify the following topics about which your state would like more information regarding FSIS procedures during foodborne illness outbreak investigations.

[Responses a–i will be presented in random order]

1. Foodborne illness outbreak response coordination

2. Foodborne illness–related investigation of establishments

3. Sampling and analysis of products

4. Assessment and use of results from non-FSIS (e.g. state) laboratories

5. Traceback and traceforward investigations

6. Information sharing with partners during investigations

7. After-action reviews (post-investigative process/policy improvement activities)

8. Consumer complaint investigations

9. Public information releases

10. Other (please specify: ______________________________)

5. Please share successes or opportunities for improvement regarding your experience working with FSIS (open text field)

For more information, please visit our partner resource webpages:

Resources for Public Health Partners: Foodborne Illness Investigation

www.fsis.usda.gov/PHPartners

Information Helpful to FSIS During Foodborne Illness Investigations

www.fsis.usda.gov/InvestigationInfo

If you have any comments or questions, please contact Doug Noveroske ([email protected]) or Willy Lanier ([email protected]).

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is xxxx-xxxx. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.