What defines a foodborne disease outbreak?

A foodborne disease outbreak is defined by two or more individuals experiencing similar illnesses stemming from the consumption of a common food. This definition emphasizes the necessity of a cluster of cases rather than isolated incidents. In this context, a single case of illness does not constitute an outbreak, nor does it provide sufficient data to identify a source or cause. Similarly, while many individuals experiencing similar symptoms might indicate a problem, it is the requirement of multiple cases linked to a shared food source that indicates an outbreak. Laboratory confirmation is also significant for verifying illness causation but does not define an outbreak on its own; the connection between multiple cases and a common food source is the critical characteristic that establishes a foodborne disease outbreak.