Food and Waterborne Diseases

The Florida Department of Health, together with its team of regional food/waterborne illness epidemiologists and county health departments, is responsible for investigating illness outbreaks associated with food and water consumption and recreational water use. Health Department personnel are responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments in Florida.

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County’s Disease Surveillance office investigates food and waterborne illnesses and reportable diseases in the community.

An outbreak occurs when two or more unrelated individuals present similar symptoms and can be linked through a shared location or time. Following a report, the Disease Surveillance staff conducts phone or face-to-face interviews of ill individuals to determine how and when they became ill and if others have been exposed. If the investigation implicates a local facility (restaurant, school, daycare, etc.), an inspection of the establishment will be conducted by members of the Disease Surveillance and/or Environmental Health offices.