Infectious diseases
This section provides advice about infectious diseases and food poisoning which are dealt with by the council.
The Food and Safety Team is informed of all cases of food poisoning caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. Coli.
Investigations are carried out to try and find out how the infection was caught. This information is then used to prevent the spread of infection to others and where possible to prevent it happening again. Detailed advice about specific infections can be found on our about bacteria page.
Reporting a notifiable disease
From 1 October 2010, sections 2 & 4 of the Health Protection (notification) regulations 2010 require doctors and laboratories to notify the Proper Officer of the Local Authority when they have information about a case of notifiable disease.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council work closely with the Health Protection Agency and has appointed the Consultant in Infectious Disease based at the Surrey & Sussex Health Protection Unit in Horsham as our Proper Officer.
All notification should be directed to them at:
Surrey & Sussex Health Protection Unit
County Hall North
Chart Way
Horsham
West Sussex
RH12 1XA
Telephone: 0845 894 2944
Fax: 01403 251 006
Email: sshpu@hpa.org.uk
Advice for food businesses or employers in the care sector (either young children or senior citizens)
It is important to ensure that members of staff do not return to work until they are no longer infectious. For some common illnesses this means they should be clear of the symptoms for 48 hours.
For other illnesses such as typhoid, it will need an extensive clearance procedure before they will be allowed back to work. For food poisoning bacteria the clearance times are listed on our about bacteria page.
For non-food related illnesses, please either see the information on the Infectious Diseases (Health Protection Agency website or consult your GP for advice.
Food handlers
Food handlers have a legal duty to report to their employer any illness or skin infection which could be passed on to others through food, but you should also enquire further if you think they may have diarrhoea or sickness. It is also a good idea to ask employees to complete a return to work form after annual leave or sickness so that you can be sure they have not had a food related illness.
Further advice for employers and a form template can be found on Food Handlers Fitness to Work(Food Standards Agency website). Employers can use this advice to decide if this person presents a risk to customers through their normal food handling duties and if so should remove that person from food handling duties until they have recovered.
See also
- Information on specific diseases can be found on our about bacteria page.
Related websites
Contact
Email: infectious.disease@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Telephone: 01737 276417
Write to:
Food and Safety Team
Services to the Community
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
Last updated : 05/01/2011
