Epidemiological Investigation of an Outbreak of Salmonellosis in Gyeongju, Korea.
- Author:
Seok Ju YOO
1
;
Hyun Sul LIM
;
Kwan LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea. wisewine@dongguk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
Epidemiologic studies;
Salmonella infections;
Egg
- MeSH:
Cohort Studies;
*Disease Outbreaks;
Eggs/microbiology;
Feces/microbiology;
*Food Microbiology;
Fruit/microbiology;
Humans;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Retrospective Studies;
Salmonella/*isolation & purification;
Salmonella Food Poisoning/*epidemiology;
Time Factors
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
2014;47(3):177-181
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: A salmonellosis outbreak occurred within a community of Gyeongju residents who ingested catered food from a wedding in June 2009. We aimed to epidemiologically investigate the probable vehicle of the infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 34 local residents who ingested the wedding food. RESULTS: Among the 34 residents, 31 (91.2%) reported symptoms of infection after eating the food. Among all of the wedding foods, pan-fried foods were highly associated with the diarrheal attack rate. On bacteriological examination, Salmonella species were detected in the pan-fried foods among the leftover foods and in 17 of the 31 stool specimens from the cases. There were five different types of pan-fried foods, but the onset of symptoms was independent of the ingredients used. We found that the pan-fried food was prepared at a food store in Seoul and that eggs were a common ingredient. CONCLUSIONS: The major cause of the salmonellosis in this population was presumed to be the pan-fried food prepared with contaminated eggs. These food items might have been partially undercooked because of their irregular shape, which allowed the Salmonella species to survive and multiply before ingestion.
