In recent years, continued improvements in genomics technology have led to a substantial transformation in the ways that foodborne illness outbreaks are identified and solved. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has emerged as a powerful tool for health departments and regulators to identify and solve foodborne illness outbreaks more effectively than ever before. This cutting-edge technology provides a detailed genetic blueprint of pathogens (a DNA signature, so to speak), enabling health officials to identify emerging foodborne illness outbreaks, trace the source of those outbreaks, and prevent further illnesses.
WGS is a scientific technique that maps the entire genetic makeup of an organism, including bacteria responsible for foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 (and non-O157:H7 STECs), and Listeria. By sequencing the genomes of these pathogens, health departments and regulators can gain valuable insights into their genetic diversity and relatedness.