Title: Discussion Forum Description - Week 5: Microscopy and Staining
Course: Lab Applications of Microbiology > Section: Course Content

Being able to identify bacteria using tools like microscopy and staining can be helpful in identifying the sources of disease, and whether they are linked to foodborne disease outbreaks.

Here's some information about how the CDC monitors for foodborne outbreaks: Foodborne Outbreak Tracking and Reporting

What do you think some of the challenges in using microscopy to identify to microorganisms causing disease in the case of an out break like this might be? Is it always easy to use microscopy for this? Why, or why not?