title: Outbreaks of salmonellosis at elementary schools associated with dissection of owl pellets.
abstract: Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium outbreaks occurred at two elementary schools after science club students dissected owl pellets. Forty primary cases were identified (26 culture-confirmed). At the first school, pellets were dissected on a cafeteria table, concurrent with after-school child care in the cafeteria. Subsequently, the table was not sanitized before use by after-school care students for snack, or before the next school lunch. At the second school, pellets were dissected in a dedicated science room, and fewer cases occurred. Pellets in both outbreaks originated from a single captive barred owl. The outbreak pulsed-field gel electrophoresis subtype of S. Typhimurium was isolated from the owl's pellets and feces, and from four frozen chicks from a batch used to feed the owl.
authors: Acute Disease Investigation and Control Section, Minnesota Department of Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, USA. kirk.smith@health.state.mn.us
authors: Kirk E
authors: KE
authors: Smith
authors: Fred
authors: F
authors: Anderson
authors: Carlota
authors: C
authors: Medus
authors: Fe
authors: F
authors: Leano
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Adams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium; D020305:Strigiformes / Q000382:microbiology*; D015047:Zoonoses