scholarly journals A large common-source outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis in a hotel in Singapore, 2012

2016 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. RAJ ◽  
J. TAY ◽  
L. W. ANG ◽  
W. S. TIEN ◽  
M. THU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Samples ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Norovirus Gastroenteritis ◽  
Contaminated Food ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Microbial Analysis ◽  
Stool Samples

SUMMARYAn outbreak of gastroenteritis affected 453 attendees (attack rate 28·5%) of six separate events held at a hotel in Singapore. Active case detection, case-control studies, hygiene inspections and microbial analysis of food, environmental and stool samples were conducted to determine the aetiology of the outbreak and the modes of transmission. The only commonality was the food, crockery and cutlery provided and/or handled by the hotel's Chinese banquet kitchen. Stool specimens from 34 cases and 15 food handlers were positive for norovirus genogroup II. The putative index case was one of eight norovirus-positive food handlers who had worked while they were symptomatic. Several food samples and remnants tested positive for Escherichia coli or high faecal coliforms, aerobic plate counts and/or total coliforms, indicating poor food hygiene. This large common-source outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis was caused by the consumption of contaminated food and/or contact with contaminated crockery or cutlery provided or handled by the hotel's Chinese banquet kitchen.

Multiple Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis That Were Associated with 16 Funerals and a Unique Caterer and Spanned 6 Days, 2011, Québec, Canada

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1582-1589 ◽  
Author(s):  
COLETTE GAULIN ◽  
SOULYVANE NGUON ◽  
MARIE-ANDREE LEBLANC ◽  
DANIELLE RAMSAY ◽  
SOPHIE ROY
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Viral Gastroenteritis ◽  
Epidemiological Investigation ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Over Time

In January 2011, multiple acute gastroenteritis outbreaks that spanned many days and were related to attendance at funerals were reported to public health units in Quebec. An epidemiological investigation was initiated to identify the source of the contamination and to explain the extent of the contamination over time. Thirty-one cohorts of individuals attended different funerals held between 14 and 19 January. All attendees were served a cold buffet made by the same caterer. Of these 31 cohorts, 16 (with a total of about 800 people) contained individuals who reported being ill after the funeral. Symptoms were mainly diarrhea (89 to 94% of individuals), vomiting (63 to 90%,) and fever (26 to 39%), with a median incubation period of 29 to 33 h and a median duration of symptoms of 24 to 33 h, suggesting norovirus-like infection. Among the 16 cohorts, 3 were selected for cohort studies. Among those three cohorts, the mean illness rate was 68%. Associations were found between those who fell ill and those who had consumed pasta salad (relative risk [RR] = 2.4; P = 0.0022) and ham sandwiches (RR = 1.8; P = 0.0096). No food handlers reported being sick. No stool samples were provided by individuals who became ill. Environmental and food samples were all negative for causative agents. Although the causative agent was not clearly identified, this investigation raised many concerns about the importance of preventing foodborne transmission of viral gastroenteritis and generated some recommendations for management of similar outbreaks.

Clostridium perfringens outbreak associated with roast beef supper fundraising event

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (04) ◽  
pp. 103-106
Author(s):  
Carolyn Sanford ◽  
Heather Morrison ◽  
Ryan Neale ◽  
Lamont Sweet
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Perfringens ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Common Source ◽  
The Public ◽  
Foodborne Outbreaks ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Roast Beef ◽  
The Church

Epidemiological, environmental, and microbiological investigations were conducted to investigate the source of a gastrointestinal illness from a community take-out church supper related outbreak in Prince Edward Island in April 2012. There were 209 probable cases that met the case definition and 85 controls. Although the majority of cases and controls consumed the roast beef, the cases more likely picked up their meals later in the day than the controls. Clostridium perfringens was lab confirmed in 3 stool samples. Food samples contained elevated levels of C. perfringens in addition to other pathogens. Clostridium perfringens was the most likely etiology of the church fundraiser outbreak. The reheating temperature was not sufficient to destroy any toxin producing spores in the large volume of meat on the trays. This organism has been implicated as a common source of foodborne outbreaks, especially when large amounts of food are not properly prepared in advance. Volunteers require adequate training before preparing, cooking, or reheating potentially hazardous foods served at community organized events. Proper education, inspection, and licensing must be reinforced for these types of events, so that meals are not prepared in contraction with the Public Health Act.

Two sequential outbreaks in two villages illustrate the various modes of transmission of cholera

2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
pp. 906-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. DAS ◽  
P. MANICKAM ◽  
Y. HUTIN ◽  
B. PATTANAIK ◽  
B. B. PAL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Index Case ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Cholera Outbreak ◽  
Severe Diarrhoea ◽  
Milk Products ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Matched Case ◽  
El Tor

SUMMARYWe investigated two sequential outbreaks of severe diarrhoea in two neighbouring villages of Orissa, in 2005. We conducted descriptive and matched case-control studies. The attack rates were 5·6% (n=62) and 5·2% (n=51), respectively, in the first and second villages. One death was reported in the second village (case fatality 2%). We identified that consumption of milk products prepared in the household of the index case [matched odds ratio (mOR) 5·7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·7–30] in the first village, and drinking well water in the second village were associated with the illness (mOR 4·7, 95% CI 1·6–19). We isolated Vibrio cholerae El Tor O1 Ogawa from stool samples from both the villages. Mishandling of milk products led to a cholera outbreak in the first village, which led to sewerage contamination of a well and another outbreak in the second village. Environmental contamination should be expected and prevented during cholera outbreaks.

scholarly journals Norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak transmitted by food and vomit in a high school

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (9) ◽  
pp. 1951-1958 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. GODOY ◽  
M. ALSEDÀ ◽  
R. BARTOLOMÉ ◽  
D. CLAVERÍA ◽  
I. MÓDOL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Population Attributable Risk ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Epidemic Curve ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Transmission Mechanisms ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Norovirus Gastroenteritis ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Norovirus Gii

SUMMARYWe investigated an outbreak of norovirus that affected students and teachers of a high school in Lleida, Spain through various transmission mechanisms. A case-control epidemiological study of the risk of disease and the relative importance of each mode of transmission was carried out. Cases and controls were selected from a systematic sample of students and teachers present at the school on 28 January. Faecal samples were taken from three food handlers and 16 cases. The influence of each factor was studied using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and the estimated population attributable risk (ePAR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We interviewed 210 people (42 cases, 168 controls). The proportion of symptoms in these individuals was nausea 78·6%, vomiting 59·5%, diarrhoea 45·2%, and fever 19·0%. The epidemic curve showed transmission for at least 4 days. The risk of disease was associated with exposure to food (aOR 5·8) in 66·1% of cases and vomit (aOR 4·7) in 24·8% of cases. Faecal samples from 11 patients and two food handlers were positive for norovirus GII.12 g. Vomit may co-exist with other modes of transmission in norovirus outbreaks and could explain a large number of cases.

Recovery tests of cytopathogenic viruses from artificially contaminated food samples

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-194
Author(s):  
R. Zoni ◽  
R. Zanelli ◽  
S. Salsi ◽  
M. E. Colucci ◽  
G. Sansebastiano
Keyword(s):  
Food Samples ◽  
Contaminated Food

Viral Hepatitis in School-Aged Children

1982 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Lance Chilton
Keyword(s):  
Day Care ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Carrier State ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Contaminated Food ◽  
Immunoglobulin Prophylaxis

Hepatitis A is a common disease in children, usually passed by the fecal-oral route. Because of its route of transmission, day care centers, especially those caring for infants and toddlers in diapers, are a likely site of passage of the disease, unlike schools, where transfer of HAV occurs uncommonly. The pediatrician encountering a case of HA must ascertain (1) that other possible aiagnoses have been eliminated, (2) whether the patient or a sibling attends a day care center, and (3) the likelihood of a common source outbreak associated with contaminated food or drink. Public health help should be sought to determine that all wider implications of the patient's disease have been taken into account. In some instances, immunoglobulin use may be indicated beyond the usual group of family and sexual contacts. In many cases, the pediatrician will be asked to stretch the indications for immunoglobulin prophylaxis; the forces may be so strong as to force mass immunoglobulin administration even if inschool transmission is unlikely. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis; previously prescribed diets and restrictions of activity are unnecessary. Recovery without complications occurs in the vast majority of patients, especially children, with HA. Hepatitis B and non-A, non-B hepatitis are less common than HA in children, except those in certain groups. Those infected have a 10% likelihood of contracting chronic active hepatitis; with HB, a chronic carrier state contributes substantially to the epidemiology of the disease. The same is likely to hold true for non-A, non-B hepatitis. In patients with needle-stick, blood product, or sexual xposure to HB, standard immunoglobulin or HBIG is recommended as prophylaxis; for those exposed to NANB, immunoglobulin may be given. A vaccine to give active protection against HB exists; one is being developed for HA as well.

scholarly journals An outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis associated with asymptomatic food handlers in Kinmen, Taiwan

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng-Yu Chen ◽  
Wan-Chin Chen ◽  
Pei-Chen Chen ◽  
Shan-Wei Hsu ◽  
Yi-Chun Lo
Keyword(s):  
Food Handlers ◽  
Norovirus Gastroenteritis

scholarly journals Molecular characterization of hookworm spp. isolated from food handlers, Khartoum, Sudan: A cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
Tarig A. Gamar ◽  
Hassan H. Musa ◽  
Hisham N. Altayb ◽  
Mohamed H. Mohamed ◽  
Adam D. Abakar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Molecular Probe ◽  
Hookworm Infection ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Necator Americanus ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Stool Samples

Background: Hookworms infect the intestines, cause an itchy rash, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, and eventually iron deficiency (anaemia) due to the ongoing loss of blood. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and molecular characterization of hookworms isolated from food handlers attending the Public Health Laboratories in Khartoum state, Sudan, for annual check-ups, and to assess the efficiency of PCR as molecular probe for hookworm infection. Methods: A total of 350 foods handlers’ participant's stool samples who were not suspected to be infected with hookworms were studied. Conventional methods were applied to make an early diagnosis. Stool samples were collected from public health laboratories (the public health lab in the Medical Commission) of Khartoum State; Omdurman locality, Khartoum North locality and Khartoum locality between October 2016 and April 2017. Specific identification was made by PCR on specimens identified as positive by Baermann’s technique, which were then sequence and genotyped Results: The prevalence of hookworms in the stool samples of food-handlers was 1.43%. One larval specimen recovered by Baermann’s technique was confirmed to be Necator americanus by PCR. PCR also confirmed that Necator americanus was the common species isolated from four further specimens. The results of DNA sequencing for Necator americanus were deposited in NCBI GenBank under the following accession numbers: sample 91, MH035824; sample 92, MH035825; sample 294, MH035826; and sample 319 MH035827. Conclusion: PCR was found to be effective for confirmation of the diagnosis of hookworm infection and can aid the clinician in initiating prompt and appropriate antiparasite therapy.

scholarly journals Listeria monocytogenes: An emerging food-borne pathogen and its public health implications

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waffa W Reda ◽  
Khaled Abdel-Moein ◽  
Ahmed Hegazi ◽  
Yasmin Mohamed ◽  
Khaled Abdel-Razik
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Contaminated Food ◽  
Luncheon Meat ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Minced Meat

Introduction: Listeria monocytogenes is considered one of the most important food-borne pathogens transmitted to humans via contaminated food. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the importance of L. monocytogenes as a food-borne pathogen. Methodology: A total of 340 samples were collected from different localities in El Giza Governorate, Egypt, to check the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in that area. The collected samples comprised 250 food samples, 40 swabs from food refrigerators, and 50 stool specimens from diarrheic children. L. monocytogenes was isolated from the examined samples according to the International Organization for Standardization. The isolates were tested biochemically using Listeria Microbact 12L and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: The isolation rates of L. monocytogenes were 8% in beef burger, 4% in minced meat, 4% in luncheon meat, while sausage samples were all negative. Eight percent of raw milk samples were positive for L. monocytogenes, whereas cheese samples and refrigerator swabs were negative. Only Listeria grayi was isolated from human stools (2.5%). Conclusion: The high isolation rates of L. monocytogenes among the examined food stuffs highlight the crucial role of food as an important vehicle for this pathogen. More efforts should be made to ensure safe handling and processing of these foods to reduce the transmission of L. monocytogenes to humans.

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