Whole genomic sequencing continues to prove invaluable in the early detection of outbreaks, as seen in a recent surge of salmonella cases in 44 U.S. states and Canada that left 400 people infected. Lee Harrison, MD, discusses with The Pittsburgh Post Gazette the importance of PulseNet, a laboratory network that connects food-borne, waterborne, and One Health-related illness cases to detect outbreaks. According to Lee, PulseNet has “revolutionized how outbreaks are detected in the United States.”

Although this approach to epidemiology still cannot prevent outbreaks, it does help to detect them earlier. Read the full article to see how public health agencies are using whole genomic sequencing in the advancing world of epidemiology and what consumers can do to mitigate illness.

Read the full article by following the link below:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette- “What we learned from a recent salmonella outbreak”