[Epidemic outbreaks of salmonellosis caused by eating eggs].
BACKGROUND
Investigation of outbreaks of foodborne infections (OFI) by Salmonella associated with the consumption of hens' eggs from a same classification center of Castellón, and determination of origin, extension and to take measures of control and prevention.


METHODS
Descriptive and case-control studies, microbiologic analysis of feces, suspicious foods, and eggs. Sampling of eggs in the classification center for estimation the prevalence of Salmonlla.


RESULTS
In 1992, 5 OFI were detected, 4 collective (1 school, 2 restaurants, and 1 residence) and 1 at home, by the consumption of food prepared with eggs: fried or boiled eggs, omelette, soufflé, 2 times, and home-made russian salad. Five hundred and forty-five persons were exposed and 364 were studied, with 100 case patients and 16 hospitalized. The range of attack rates was 10.5-87.0%. Samonella enteritidis (3 OFI) and S. typhimurium (3 OFI) were the infectious agents. In February 1993, the prevalence of Salmonella in eggs from the center was 0.26% (4/1.524) (S. enteritidis, 2 isolates, and S. typhimurium, 2 isolate), three on the shell, and one in the yolk. Two farmhouses of the six supplied were infected.


CONCLUSIONS
These outbreaks indicate that salmonellosis by egg's consumption are frequent here and investigation of infection sources is necessary.
Arnedo
A
A
Dirección Territorial de Sanidad, Castellón.
Bellido
J B
JB
Pac
M R
MR
Criado
J
J
Usera
M A
MA
Mesanza
I
I
González
F
F
Pérez
R
R
Cortés
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004531:Eggs / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012478:Salmonella Food Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology