South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

• Food Safety and S.C. Public Health
• Check S.C. Restaurant Ratings
• File a Complaint - Food Safety/Sanitation
• Food Poisoning - What to Do
• Foodborne Diseases/Outbreaks
• How Germs, Viruses Get into Food
• Special Events/Food Products
• Healthcare Providers - Report Illnesses
• DHEC's Role in Food Safety
• Contact Us

• Related DHEC Websites
• Food Safety for Home Cooks
• Food Industry: Rules, Guidelines
• Environmental Health Home

Healthcare Providers — Report Illnesses

As a healthcare provider, you play a crucial role in helping DHEC and federal food protection agencies catch potential foodborne outbreaks early:

• Recognize suspicious symptoms, disease clusters, and etiologic agents. To consult with DHEC experts on foodborne illness and outbreaks, contact your local public health department or the DHEC Division of Acute Disease Epidemiology at (803) 898-0861.
• Properly collect stool specimens to aid in diagnosis. See DHEC’s guide to specimen/sample collection and testing (pdf).
• Promptly report illnesses to DHEC. See the current S.C. List of Reportable Conditions (pdf).