A Public Health Example: E. Coli Outbreak

This video provides a step-by-step breakdown of how outbreaks are managed to keep people safe and prevent future foodborne illnesses. Through visual storytelling using a real-world example, an E. coli outbreak in 2024, we can explore how public health experts detect, investigate, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

Professor Sue J. Goldie starts by explaining what E. coli is, how it spreads, and how public health teams identify an outbreak by tracking symptoms, locations, and patterns of illness. Next, she looks at how scientists and agencies like the CDC, FDA, and USDA work together to trace the source of contamination—in this case, onions from Taylor Farms. Finally, she discusses how outbreaks are controlled, including food recalls, public warnings, and long-term prevention efforts.