Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Detection of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens from Individual Filth Flies
Published on: February 13, 2015
The RUsick2 Foodborne Disease Forum for syndromic surveillance
Holly Wethington1, Paul Bartlett
1National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, 165 Food Safety and Toxicology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. ffmod@cvm.msu.edu
Abstract:
The RUsick2 Foodborne Disease Forum at the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center increased reporting of foodborne diseases to more than four times the rate seen in the previous 2 years. Since November 2002, the Forum has allowed pilot-area residents with sudden-onset vomiting or diarrhea to share and compare information regarding what they ate and did before becoming sick. The purpose is to identify a common food source, perhaps resulting in identifying a cluster of persons who ate the same contaminated food item. Such information can assist health departments in detecting foodborne outbreaks while the possibility for intervention remains.
Related Concept Videos
Principles of Disease Surveillance
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Steps in Outbreak Investigation
Botulism
Rapid Identification of Pathogens
