Multistate outbreak of Salmonella serovar Muenchen infections associated with alfalfa sprouts grown from seeds pretreated with calcium hypochlorite.
During September 1999, a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serovar Muenchen infection associated with eating raw alfalfa sprouts was identified in Wisconsin. Despite use of a calcium hypochlorite sanitizing procedure to pretreat seeds before sprouting, at least 157 outbreak-related illnesses were identified in seven states having sprouters who received alfalfa seed from a specific lot. The continued occurrence of sprout-related outbreaks despite presprouting disinfection supports the concern that no available treatment will eliminate pathogens from seeds before sprouting and reinforces the need for additional safeguards to protect the public. A lack of consumer knowledge regarding exposure to sprouts documented in this investigation suggests that more-targeted outreach to high-risk individuals may be needed to reduce their risk.
Proctor
M E
ME
Bureau of Communicable Diseases, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2659, USA. proctme@dhfs.state.wu.us
Hamacher
M
M
Tortorello
M L
ML
Archer
J R
JR
Davis
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D018525:Germination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012475:Salmonella / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012478:Salmonella Food Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D017610:Calcium Compounds; C004488:calcium hypochlorite