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Details of the outbreaks in categories (1) and (2)
Family outbreaks. The five family outbreaks consisted of three incidents
each involving four members of one family, and two involving three members.
In two of these outbreaks the evidence pointed to the probable vehicle of
infection being eggs, but in no case was there any remnant of the suspected
food available for bacteriological examination. The causative organism in
every case was salmonella typhimurium.
Staphylococcus aureus outbreak. Out of a possible 19 men at risk in a building
site canteen, eight were effected with diarrhoeal symptoms following a meal of
boiled bacon sandwiches. The causative organism was found in remnants of the
bacon and was identified as staphylococcus aureus. The apparent fault was due
to unrefrigerated storage of the bacon which was cooked one day, then stored
for two days before being served in sandwiches The illness caused was very
mild and the victims recovered very quickly.
School outbreaks. During the year there were two outbreaks of food poisoning
associated with school meals The first occurred at a school where meals are
cooked on the premises. As there were only eight cases involved out of nearly
400 at risk, it was obvious that only a small proportion of the dish served
could have been affected The evidence pointed to one large fish out of
fourteen prepared for the meal being the vehicle of infection. The suspected
dish consisted of cod fillets,, all the fish being delivered one day, refrigerated
overnight and cooked the next day Some of the diners had commented on the
taste of the fish, but as there was none of it available for bacteriological
examination, this could not be substantiated. The illness produced was short
and sharp, and all cases recovered within 24 hours
The second school outbreak was connected with a meals centre where dinners
are prepared for the children and staff of three schools. Out of just over
six hundred at risk, 123 were affected. The vehicle of the infection could
not definitely be established, and even the causative organism could not be
isolated The bacteriological findings in both the food, and the faecal
specimens of the victims, were not significant because all the persons involved
had not partaken of an identical meal.
Deaths associated with Food Poisoning. There were two deaths during the
year from causes associated with food poisoning. Particulars of these cases
are as follows:-
(1) Male aged 67 years Admitted to hospital on 25th July, 1958, suffering
from acute retention of urine He had been suffering from gastroenteritis
which had subsided Patient died 29th July, 1958. Cause of
death certified as renal failure: Acute enteritis (salmonella typhimurium)
This was not a notified case of food poisoning