An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 135 infection linked to the consumption of raw shell eggs in an aged care facility

Abstract

In March 2001, the Communicable Diseases Control Branch and local government investigated an outbreak of gastroenteritis in an aged-care facility in rural South Australia. Initial reports indicated 12 residents and 1 staff member had experienced gastrointestinal illness; 3 residents had been hospitalised. An epidemiological and environmental investigation sought details of illness, food consumption, food purchasing practices and social activities for the 3 day period prior to the onset of illness in the first case. In total, 18 (16 residents, 2 nursing staff) were ultimately linked to this outbreak (Figure).