Food safety and infectious diseases
If you think you might be suffering from food poisoning or any other infectious disease, you should contact your GP as soon as possible.
We investigate cases of food poisoning and foodborne illness to:
- prevent the spread of illness
- identify the cause
- reduce the risk of outbreaks
Causes of infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are caused by organisms such as:
- viruses
- bacteria
- parasites
- fungi
They can spread through:
- contaminated food
- air
- blood
- body fluids
People most at risk
Anyone can be affected, but some people are at higher risk:
- babies and young children
- older people
- pregnant women
- people with existing health conditions
- people with weakened immune systems
Main symptoms of food poisoning
Symptoms of food poisoning often include:
- diarrhoea
- stomach cramps
- vomiting
- fever
- nausea
- headache
- dizziness
How to protect yourself and others
You can reduce the risk of catching or spreading infection by:
- keeping vaccinations up to date
- washing your hands regularly
- coughing or sneezing into a tissue and putting it in a bin
- covering cuts and wounds
- cooking food thoroughly
- preparing food on clean surfaces
- staying at home if you are unwell
- checking health advice before travelling abroad
You can find travel vaccination advice on the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website.
Contact
For more information and advice on infectious diseases, please contact:
Food Safety and Hygiene Team
