Who is responsible for getting a call on food poisoning?

• A. The patient
• B. The physician
• C. PHI
• D. The nurse manager

Answer: (C)

Public health surveillance for foodborne illness relies on a designated contact who can quickly initiate investigation. The person typically responsible for taking the initial report and guiding the outbreak response is the public health inspector. They are trained to receive reports from the public or healthcare providers, collect case information, notify the health department, and coordinate with food safety authorities. This role bridges the gap between individual reports and public health action, ensuring timely containment and communication.

The patient experiences symptoms and seeks care, and physicians have a duty to report certain illnesses to public health authorities, but they are not the entity that typically takes the initial call. A nurse manager oversees clinical care and hospital operations, not external public health intake. Therefore, the one who handles the call is the Public Health Inspector.