Investigates unusual numbers in circumstances of a variety of certain illnesses and conditions, which are reported to the health department. By law, several infectious communicable diseases and certain other conditions must be reported by local physicians, hospitals, and labs. When outbreaks are believed to be food or water borne, identification and testing of the potential sources in food and water may be conducted in order to identify the cause of the illness. Education of the public is provided to minimize risk of future outbreaks.