Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T01:34:15.712Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Chaos under canvas: a Salmonella enteritidis PT 6B outbreak

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

R. F. Brugha ,
A. J. Howard ,
G. R. Thomas ,
R. Parry ,
L. R. Ward  and
S. R. Palmer
R. F. Brugha*
Affiliation:
CDSC (Welsh Unit), Abton House, Wedal Road, Roath, Cardiff
A. J. Howard
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Bangor, Wales
G. R. Thomas
Affiliation:
Meirionydd District Council, Wales
R. Parry
Affiliation:
Public Health Medicine, Gwynedd Health Authority, Wales
L. R. Ward
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London
S. R. Palmer
Affiliation:
CDSC (Welsh Unit), Abton House, Wedal Road, Roath, Cardiff
*
* Author for correspondence and reprint requests: Dr Ruairi Brugha. CDSC. 61 Colindale Avenue?. London NW9 5DF.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

An outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis PT 6B food poisoning, the first reported of this recently described phage type, resulted in illness among 46 of 49 members of a camping group in North Wales. 33 of whom were hospitalized. Epidemiological evidence (P < 0·0001) indicated that a lemon meringue pie was the vehicle of infection. Fresh shell eggs, stored after purchase at ambient temperature, appear to be the most likely source of infection, with multiplication during preparation and subsequent storage of the pie a significant contributory factor. Campers may be at greater risk than others and should consider the use of cold boxes for the transport and storage of eggs, and avoid the preparation of lightly cooked egg products under these basic conditions.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 115 , Issue 3 , December 1995 , pp. 513 - 517
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

References

1.Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food. Report on Salmonella in Eggs. London: HMSO. 1993.Google Scholar
2.Cowden, JM.Chisholm, D.O'Mahony, M et al. Two outbreaks of Salmonella enteritidis PT4 infection associated with the consumption of foods containing fresh shell eggs. Epidemiol Inf 1989; 103: 47–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Salmon, RL.Palmer, SR.Ribeiro, D et al. How is the source of food poisoning outbreaks established ? The example of three consecutive Salmonella enteritidis PT4 outbreaks linked to eggs. J Epidemiol Commun Hlth 1991; 45: 266–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Mishu, B.Griffin, PM.Tauxe, RV et al. Salmonella enteritidis gastroenteritis transmitted by intact chicken eggs. Ann Intern Med 1991; 115: 190–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Anonymous. Outbreaks of Salmonella enteritidis infection associated with the consumption of raw eggs. JAMA 1992; 267: 3263.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Coyle, EF.Palmer, SR, Ribeiro, CD et al. Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 infection: association with hens' eggs. Lancet 1988; ii: 1295–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Cowden, JM.Lynch, D.Joseph, CA et al. Case control study of infections with Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 in England. BMJ 1989; 299: 771–3.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Humphrey, TJ.Greenwood, M.Gilbert, RJ, Rowe, B, Chapman, PA. The survival of salmonellas in shell eggs under simulated domestic conditions. Epidemiol Infect 1989; 103: 47–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. Communicable Disease Report. 6 05 1994. 4:18. 86.Google Scholar
10. Communicable Disease Report. 10 03 1995. 5:10. 50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Ward, LR.de Sa, JDH.Rowe, B. A phage-typing scheme for Salmonella enteritidis. Epidemiol Infect 1987; 99: 291–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed