Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB)
Reportable by Laboratories and ProvidersAbout this Reportable Disease
This is an immediately reportable condition. Please contact the Tennessee Department of Health at 615-741-7247 and ask to speak to the epidemiologist on call.
Infectious agent: Staphylococcus aureus
Description of illness: SEB is one of several harmful substances produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B is toxic by inhalation and ingestion. Staph toxins could be used as a biological agent either by contamination of food or water or by aerosolization (using pressure to produce a fine mist) and inhalation. Breathing in low doses of staphylococcal enterotoxin B may cause fever, cough, difficulty breathing, headache, and some vomiting and nausea. High doses of the toxin have a much more serious effect.
Laboratory Reporting for this Disease
Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.
- Manually report results to TDH by faxing or mailing a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department, or faxing to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
- Automatically submit results to TDH via electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), which automates the process of sharing data with TDH using interoperability standards.
- See the ELR Onboarding Handbook for details on the onboarding process, checklist, frequently asked questions, business rules, message format, and vocabulary.
- To initiate the ELR onboarding process with TDH, register in the Trading Partner Registration (TPR) system TPR provides documentation for Promoting Interoperability (PI) attestation and milestone letters to document onboarding progress. Contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
- Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
- Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers
Clinical Summary
- Agent and exposure routes: Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus and is toxic by inhalation and ingestion; it is also considered a potential biological threat if aerosolized or used to contaminate food/water.
- Clinical presentation depends on route: After inhalation, expected features include fever with respiratory complaints (cough, dyspnea, and retrosternal discomfort/chest pain) and GI symptoms; severe intoxication can progress to pulmonary edema/ARDS, shock, and death.
- Foodborne illness pattern: SEB can also cause staphylococcal food poisoning when the toxin is present in contaminated food; outbreaks may present as clusters linked to a common exposure.
- Diagnosis and management: SEB illness is toxin-mediated; management is primarily supportive (airway/respiratory support, fluids, symptom control) and focused on exposure assessment and infection control/public health coordination when a deliberate release is suspected.
- Reporting in Tennessee: Tennessee lists Staphylococcus Enterotoxin B (SEB) Pulmonary Poisoning as a reportable condition.
Clinical Links & Info
Healthcare Provider Reporting
Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.
Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:
• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public
What It Is
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a harmful toxin made by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. SEB can cause illness if it is breathed in or swallowed.
Signs and Symptoms
Breathing in SEB can cause fever, cough, trouble breathing, headache, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. Higher exposures can cause more severe illness.
How It Spreads
Illness can occur after exposure to SEB through inhalation of aerosolized toxin, ingestion of contaminated food or water, or contact with contaminated items/materials. SEB-related events may occur as isolated exposures or as clusters if a shared source is involved.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A healthcare provider evaluates symptoms and exposure history. Care is focused on supportive treatment, especially for breathing problems. If you believe you may have been exposed and develop symptoms, seek medical care promptly.
Prevention
Everyday prevention includes safe food handling and promptly discarding food that may be contaminated. In settings where toxin exposure is possible (for example, certain laboratory or occupational environments), follow established safety procedures and protective measures.
This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM