Germs that cause foodborne illness can spread in ways other than contaminated food. Germs can contaminate recreational or drinking water or spread after someone has contact with animals or people carrying the germ. See the links below for more information on how to prevent illness when traveling internationally, preparing food at home, and working with animals.
Foodborne Illness
Millions of people experience foodborne illness every year. This is often due to food that was prepared or stored improperly. See the links below on how to reduce your risk of foodborne illness.
- Cooking for Groups (FSIS)
- Food Establishment Safety Resources (DOH)
- Foodborne Outbreaks (2 min video - CDC)
- Food Safety (DOH)
- Food Safety After Power Outage (CDC)
- Infant Formula: How to Store & Prepare (CDC)
- Is it Done Yet? (SDSU Extension)
- Norovirus & Food Workers (CDC)
- Protect Your Baby from Cronobacter (CDC)
- Raw (Unpasteurized) Milk (DOH)
- Selling Eggs in South Dakota (SDSU Extension)
Waterborne Illness
Waterborne illness occurs when drinking or recreational water is contaminated. See the links below for more information.
- Drinking Water Advisory (CDC)
- Healthy Swimming (CDC)
- Make Water Safe During an Emergency (CDC)
- Private Well Sampling (DANR)
- Recreational Water Illnesses (MDH)
- Water Treatment in Backcountry (CDC)
Staying Safe with Animals
Animals commonly carry germs. While these germs may not make the animal appear sick, they can sometimes cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms in humans. See the links below for more information on how to stay safe around livestock, pets, and other animals.
- Backyard Flocks & Farm Fresh Eggs (DOH)
- Backyard Poultry (CDC)
- Home Produced Chicken Eggs (CO Ext)
- Pet Treats & Pet Food (CDC)
- Precautions Around Livestock (CFSPH)
- Raw Milk (DOH)
- Safe Livestock Handling (UNMC)
- Staying Healthy Around Pets (CDC)
- Trouble with Tiny Turtles (2 min)
- Cattle Handling & Women’s Health (UNMC)
Travel
International travel can provide an opportunity to visit far-off friends and relatives, or an exciting escape from South Dakota’s winters. Less exciting is the potential for traveler’s diarrhea. See the links below for more information on how to stay safe while traveling.
- Food & Water Precautions (CDC Yellow Book)
- Traveler’s Diarrhea (CDC Yellow Book)
Cleaning & Hand Hygiene
Cleaning, disinfection, and hand hygiene are important steps to prevent illness. See the links below for more information.
- Clean & Disinfect Childcare Settings (CDC)
- Childcare Cleaning Toolkit (ACI)
- Disinfection for Cryptosporidium (CDC)
- Hand Hygiene (CDC)
- Hand Sanitizer Facts (CDC)
Preventing Person-to-Person Spread
Some diseases spread easily between people. See the links below for more information on some of these germs.
- C. difficile Flyer (CDC)
- Have You Heard of Norovirus? (2.5 min video)
- Shigella Infographic (CDC)