Environmental Health Surveillance at the 1976 Festival of American Folklife 1 .

Overall the 1976 Festival of American Folklife was a highly successful affair both from a cultural and environmental health standpoint. Although a number of health-related problems arose on a day-to-day basis, close surveillance and prompt action on the part of the onsite sanitarian made it possible to secure early resolution of them with no ill effects among either visitors or the Festival staff. Logistically, planning and conducting of the comprehensive Smithsonian Institute (SI) food operations involving 50 different ethnic groups was an accomplishment worthy of note. Even more important, however, was the fact that during the entire time the Government Services, Inc. and SI food service operations were in progress, there was not a single case of foodborne illness associated with foods and beverages served to an estimated 500,000 persons onsite. This was in large measure due to the excellent cooperative assistance furnished by health agency personnel in the District of Columbia and the surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia. These personnel inspected the many food establishments within their jurisdictions which served as sources for foods served at the Festival. All individuals and groups assisting directly or indirectly with this aspect of the Festival may justly be proud of the achievement.