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A foodborne outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni (O[ratio ]33) infection associated with tuna salad: a rare strain in an unusual vehicle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 1998

T. H. ROELS
Affiliation:
Bureau of Public Health, Wisconsin Division of Health, Madison, WI Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
B. WICKUS
Affiliation:
Sauk County Health Department, Baraboo, WI
H. H. BOSTROM
Affiliation:
Bureau of Public Health, Wisconsin Division of Health, Madison, WI
J. J. KAZMIERCZAK
Affiliation:
Bureau of Public Health, Wisconsin Division of Health, Madison, WI
M. A. NICHOLSON
Affiliation:
Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
T. A. KURZYNSKI
Affiliation:
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI
J. P. DAVIS
Affiliation:
Bureau of Public Health, Wisconsin Division of Health, Madison, WI Jeffrey P. Davis, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases, Bureau of Public Health, Division of Health, 1414 East Washington Ave, Rm 167, Madison, WI, 53703, USA.
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Abstract

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We report a foodborne outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni infection in a summer camp. Outbreak-related cases occurred in 79 persons including 3 secondary cases in campers. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from stool specimens from 16 of 21 patients who submitted a sample; 13 viable isolates were serotyped and all were serotype O[ratio ]33 (somatic O scheme) or HL[ratio ]18 (heat-labile scheme), and biotype III (Lior scheme). This serotype is widely distributed geographically but rarely isolated from humans. Samples of water from the wells supplying the camp were negative for faecal coliforms, and raw milk had not been served in the camp. A matched (1[ratio ]1) case-control study identified tuna salad served for lunch on 19 July as the likely food item associated with illness (matched odds ratio=22; 95% confidence intervals (CI)=3·6–908). Swimming in the camp pool and other recreational water use in area lakes by the campers were not statistically associated with illness. The precise mechanism of introduction of the organism into the tuna salad remains unknown; contamination most likely occurred through cross-contamination with another food product, the hands of a food handler, or a work surface. Several deficiencies in the operation of the camp kitchen were identified. In Wisconsin, kitchens of such camps are subject to different inspection rules than restaurants. Camp staff, administrators, counselors, food managers, and infirmary staff, should fulfil important roles in their respective areas to prevent future outbreaks.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press