What defines an outbreak of an illness?

An outbreak of an illness is defined as at least two individuals showing symptoms after consuming the same food. This definition is crucial because it indicates a shared source of contamination that has affected multiple people, suggesting a systemic issue with the food rather than an isolated incident. Detecting two or more ill persons helps public health officials identify potential food safety violations, trace the source of the outbreak, and implement measures to prevent further cases.

The other options do not adequately describe an outbreak. For instance, a single individual's symptoms may indicate foodborne illness but do not suggest widespread contamination or a problem that could affect more people. Similarly, a diagnosis from a healthcare provider does not imply that there is an outbreak unless it correlates with multiple cases. Furthermore, food recalls due to contamination may occur as a response to an outbreak but do not define the outbreak itself. Therefore, the occurrence of symptoms in at least two people is a clear, actionable indicator that an outbreak is occurring, making it the correct definition in this context.