The circular, issued by the Department of Healthcare Professions, aims to enhance compliance with foodborne disease reporting requirements and strengthen the country’s epidemiological surveillance system. The ministry said all suspected or confirmed cases of foodborne diseases listed as food poisoning under the communicable diseases schedule must be reported immediately upon suspicion or confirmation through the electronic reporting system (SAVES), with all required epidemiological and clinical information completed accurately and in full. The ministry also called on healthcare facilities and practitioners to co-operate with surveillance and rapid response teams during epidemiological investigations when required. It said early reporting of foodborne diseases and related outbreaks enables the competent authorities to implement timely preventive and response measures, helping to limit disease spread, control potential outbreaks and protect public health. The ministry stressed that failure to comply with communicable disease reporting requirements constitutes a violation of applicable legislation and may result in legal action against violators.