Multipathogen Outbreak of Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens Among Hospital Workers in Alaska, August 2021.
Public Health Rep
; 139(2): 195-200, 2024.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37178053
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus cereus are common causes of reported foodborne illness. On August 6, 2021, the Alaska Division of Public Health identified a multipathogen gastrointestinal outbreak among hospital staff in Homer, Alaska. The objectives of this study were to identify the outbreak source and prevent future illness.METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of hospital staff who participated in luncheon events during August 5-7, 2021, and used an online survey to identify hospital staff with gastrointestinal illness. We defined case patients as people who reported new-onset gastrointestinal illness (diarrhea or abdominal cramping) after food consumption during the luncheon events. We calculated adjusted odds ratios of gastrointestinal illness associated with reported food exposures. We tested available food samples for C perfringens and B cereus and tested case patient stool specimens for C perfringens. We conducted an environmental investigation at the implicated vendor site.RESULTS:
Of 202 survey responses, 66 (32.7%) people reported acute gastrointestinal illness 64 (97.0%) reported diarrhea, 62 (94.9%) reported abdominal cramps, and none were hospitalized. Of 79 people who consumed ham and pulled pork sandwiches, 64 (81.0%) met the case definition; this food item was significantly associated with increased odds of gastrointestinal illness (adjusted odds ratio = 296.4; 95% CI, 76.7-2019.1). C perfringens and B cereus were isolated at confirmatory levels from sandwich samples. C perfringens enterotoxin was detected in all 5 stool specimens tested. Environmental investigators observed other food items at the sandwich vendor that were refrigerated outside the required temperature range (>41 °F); no clear handling deficiencies for the implicated food were identified.CONCLUSION:
Quick notification and effective collaboration can help detect an outbreak, identify the responsible food vehicle, and mitigate further risk.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Clostridium perfringens
/
Doenças Transmitidas por Alimentos
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article