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41
The outbreak of food poisoning occurred in a Welfare Home for tie aged in
the Borough.
The food causing the outbreak was suspected to be ox tongue and the
agent heat resistant Clostridium welchii. All the cases occurred at 4 a.m. on
Saturday, 20th August, 1960, there were no fatilities.
Clinical Features
Average interval ingestion to onset - 16 hours
Main Symptons - Pains in abdomen and diarrhoea, no vomiting
Severity of illness - Moderately severe
Duration of illness - 6 staff : 12 hours
11 elderly residents : 32 hours.
Results of Laboratory Investigations
(i) Cases : Faecal specimens obtainable only from ten persons - heat-
resistant Clostridium welchii present in all specimens.
(ii) Food handlers:- One cook included in the above ten (a second
and subsequent test was negative).
(iii) Food sample:- Ox tongue - no pathogenic organisms isolated. (The
sample of ox tongue may not have been representative
of that thought to have caused the outbreak).
Reparation of Food causing illness
Early on Wednesday, 17th August, I960, twenty seven pounds of ox tongues
Were delivered to the home. They were steamed for eight hours and then placed
ln a "cool room". Early the following morning the tongues were placed in a
refrigerator. At about 11 a.m. half of them were sliced and covered with warm
eravy. Lunch was served at 12.30 p.m. with no consequent illness.
On Friday 19th August, the remainder of the ox tongues were removed from
the refrigerator (excepting one whole tongue). They were sliced and served cold
for lunch (No gravy served).
Number of consumers at risk
75 elderly residents
6 staff
Probable origin of infection or contamination of food
Not Known