Common source outbreak of salmonellosis in a food factory

Seventy-three employees at a food processing factory employing 2700 staff reported vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain between 30 July and 3 August 1997. Salmonella enteritidis phage type (PT) 4 was isolated from 47 symptomatic cases and five asymptomatic canteen staff. The epidemic curve suggest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communicable disease and public health 1999-01, Vol.2 (1), p.32
Main Authors: Wilson, D, Patterson, W J, Hollyoak, V, Oldridge, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Disease Outbreaks
Eggs
England - epidemiology
Food Handling
Food Microbiology
Food-Processing Industry
Gastroenteritis - epidemiology
Gastroenteritis - etiology
Humans
Salmonella enteritidis - isolation & purification
Salmonella Food Poisoning - epidemiology
Salmonella Food Poisoning - etiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Seventy-three employees at a food processing factory employing 2700 staff reported vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain between 30 July and 3 August 1997. Salmonella enteritidis phage type (PT) 4 was isolated from 47 symptomatic cases and five asymptomatic canteen staff. The epidemic curve suggested a point exposure to a common source: 60% of cases reported illness on 31 July. An uncooked dessert containing raw shell eggs was identified as a possible vehicle of infection. Caterers are reminded that pasteurised egg should be substituted for shell egg in dishes that are eaten raw or only lightly cooked.
ISSN:1462-1843