What should be included when determining a potential outbreak history during a foodborne illness complaint investigation?

When investigating a potential outbreak during a foodborne illness complaint, it is essential to gather details about other exposed individuals. This aspect is crucial because understanding the scope of illness among a group can help identify patterns, sources of contamination, and the extent of the outbreak. By knowing who else may have been affected, investigators can link cases together, determine the common point of exposure, and assess the need for further public health interventions.

In contrast, while recent travel of the complainant may provide context for exposure, it does not alone establish a potential outbreak. The employability status of the complainant can inform assessments of food safety practices within an establishment but is not the primary concern in establishing outbreak links. Lastly, insurance records are not relevant to understanding the dynamics of illness distribution or transmission among individuals and would not contribute to identifying the outbreak source. Thus, including details about other exposed individuals is vital for a comprehensive investigation of a foodborne illness complaint.