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 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.
Wilson
D
D
Leeds Public Health Laboratory.
Patterson
W J
WJ
Hollyoak
V
V
Oldridge
S
S
D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004531:Eggs; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005511:Food Handling; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012478:Salmonella Food Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires