Foodborne & Enteric Disease

Certain germs can make you sick when they enter your mouth. These infections are called enteric diseases, which affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. You might refer to these symptoms as a “stomach bug” or food poisoning. While unsafe food is a common source of these illnesses, germs can also spread through drinking unsafe water or coming into contact with an infected animal or person. In South Dakota, contact with cattle, poultry, sheep, and other livestock is a common source of enteric disease. These germs also spread easily between people in certain settings, such as households and daycares.

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Medical Providers and Laboratories

Submit individual disease reports or outbreak reports to the Department of Health.

Report a Disease or Outbreak

Visit the laboratory webpage for more information on specimen collection and testing.

Submit a Specimen or Order Testing Supplies

Current Outbreaks & Recalls:

Information on Specific Diseases