Outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 135a following consumption of raw egg

Abstract

On 19 and 20 December 2001, 3 notifications of infection with Salmonella sp. were received by the Communicable Disease Control Branch for persons who had attended the same Christmas function on 14 December. On 21 December 2001 a voluntary service organisation reported that 4 of about 14 people attending a Christmas function had reported illness with gastrointestinal disease. The function was for staff of the organisation and was self-catered in a private home, with each of the guests contributing food and drink items. Interview of the hostess on 21 December 2001 established that 20 people (17 adults and 3 children), including the 2 notified cases, had attended the function. A list of persons attending the function was obtained from the voluntary organisation and 6 were interviewed to compile a list of menu items. On 24 December 2001 an additional case was notified. This case had also attended the function. Organisms from all cases were subsequently typed as Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 135a.