AF Form 432: Time Distribution of Persons Affected (Download) – Air Force Public Health personnel, epidemiologists, and medical teams use AF Form 432, titled Time Distribution of Persons Affected, as a key tool during foodborne illness (FBI) outbreak investigations. This form helps tabulate the onset times of symptoms among affected individuals, enabling teams to construct epidemic curves that reveal critical details about the outbreak’s source, exposure window, and progression.
What Is AF Form 432?
AF Form 432 is an official Department of the Air Force form prescribed by DAFI 48-116, Food and Water Protection Program (10 March 2023). Public Health teams pair it with AF Form 431 (Food Poisoning Outbreak – Individual Case History) to record foods consumed in the 72 hours prior to illness. Together, these forms support thorough investigations of suspected foodborne outbreaks on Air Force installations.
Primary Purpose:
- To record and tabulate the time distribution (onset of symptoms) for persons affected by a suspected foodborne illness.
- To generate an epidemic curve that helps investigators determine:
- The likely incubation period of the pathogen.
- The probable time of exposure (common source point-source outbreak vs. ongoing contamination).
- Whether the outbreak is point-source, propagated, or intermittent.
This data supports rapid identification of contaminated food items, implementation of corrective actions, and prevention of further cases—protecting the health and readiness of Airmen and installation personnel.
Who Uses AF Form 432?
- Air Force Public Health (PH) officers and technicians at Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs).
- Epidemiology teams and Aerospace Medicine personnel.
- Installation commanders and Medical Group leadership during outbreak responses.
- It applies across the Total Force: Active Duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve.
The form integrates into broader reporting requirements, including entry into the Air Force Disease Reporting System internet (AFDRSi) for reportable medical events and outbreaks. For foodborne outbreaks, teams also complete CDC Form 52.13 (Investigation of a Foodborne Outbreak) and coordinate with state health departments (in CONUS, Alaska, or Hawaii) and MAJCOM Public Health officers.
Note: ANG and Guard Medical Units must additionally report to their State Joint Forces Headquarters.
How to Use AF Form 432? (Key Instructions)
While the official PDF provides the fillable layout, general procedures from DAFI 48-116 include:
- Collect symptom onset times from affected individuals (via interviews or case histories from AF Form 431).
- Record data in the form’s time intervals (typically in hourly or other appropriate increments based on the suspected pathogen).
- Plot or tabulate the number of cases by onset time to visualize the epidemic curve.
- Analyze the curve alongside food consumption histories to implicate specific meals, foods, or vendors.
- Use the findings to recommend immediate controls (e.g., food salvage, facility closure, or recalls) and long-term prevention.
The form is simple and focused on temporal data, making it an essential companion to detailed case histories and laboratory results. Public Health teams may request additional support from the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) Epidemiology Consult Service at DCPH-Dayton for complex investigations.
Download the Official AF Form 432 PDF (current version hosted on the Air Force e-Publishing site):
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_sg/form/af432/af432.pdf
Always use the most current version from the official Air Force e-Publishing website (www.e-publishing.af.mil) to ensure compliance. Forms are available for download or ordering through the publications and forms index.
Context Within Air Force Food and Water Protection
DAFI 48-116 outlines the comprehensive Food and Water Protection Program, which includes prevention, surveillance, and response to foodborne illness outbreaks. AF Form 432 supports these efforts alongside tools like:
- DD Form 2972/2973 (Food Facility Risk Assessment and Inspection).
- ALFOODACT recalls via Defense Logistics Agency.
- Reporting in AFDRSi per AFMAN 48-105.
Outbreaks require prompt notification to MDG leadership, MAJCOM PH, and appropriate civilian authorities. Suspected intentional contamination triggers coordination with Security Forces and the Anti-Terrorism Officer.
Why Accurate Use of AF Form 432 Matters?
Timely and precise completion of AF Form 432 helps:
- Protect force health and mission readiness by quickly containing outbreaks.
- Identify common-source exposures in dining facilities, commissaries, or vendor-supplied meals.
- Support compliance with DoD, CDC, and state reporting requirements.
- Prevent secondary transmission and reduce downtime for affected personnel.
In military environments—where large groups consume meals from centralized sources—rapid epidemiological tools like this form are vital for maintaining operational capability.
How to Access and Stay Compliant?
- Visit the official Department of the Air Force e-Publishing site: www.e-publishing.af.mil.
- Search for AF Form 432 or DAFI 48-116.
- Download the fillable PDF directly from the provided link.
- Ensure your unit follows local procedures for outbreak investigation and documentation per your Medical Group policies.
For training or assistance with foodborne illness investigations, consult your installation Public Health office or reach out to USAFSAM Epidemiology support.
Related Resources:
- DAFI 48-116: Food and Water Protection Program (full instruction on e-Publishing).
- AF Form 431: Food Poisoning Outbreak – Individual Case History.
- CDC resources on epidemic curves and foodborne outbreak investigation.
Important: This article provides general information based on publicly available Air Force publications. Always refer to the current official directives and consult your chain of command or Public Health professionals for specific guidance, as policies and forms can be updated.
Last updated reference: DAFI 48-116 (10 March 2023). Check e-Publishing for any subsequent changes.
This form remains a foundational tool in Air Force public health for safeguarding Airmen against foodborne threats—ensuring our forces stay healthy, ready, and mission-effective. If you need the form for official use, download it directly from the secure Air Force link above.