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Outbreak of SRSV gastroenteritis at an international conference traced to food handled by a post-symptomatic caterer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

T. Patterson ,
P. Hutchings  and
S. Palmer
T. Patterson
Affiliation:
CDSC (Welsh Unit), Cardiff
P. Hutchings
Affiliation:
Environmental Health Department, Cardiff City Council
S. Palmer
Affiliation:
CDSC (Welsh Unit), Cardiff
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Summary

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In an outbreak of small round structured virus (SRSV) gastroenteritis at an international AIDS conference 67 people were ill with diarrhoea or vomiting, one requiring admission to hospital. Epidemiological investigations demonstrated that the vehicle of infection was food prepared by a foodhandler who was recovering from a mild gastrointestinal illness. The food most strongly associated with illness, coronation chicken, was prepared by the food handler on the second day after symptoms ceased.

The investigation confirms the view that foodhandlers may contaminate food with SRSV after cessation of symptoms and should remain off work until at least 48 h after recovery.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 111 , Issue 1 , August 1993 , pp. 157 - 162
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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