[Large food poisoning of Salmonella typhi-murium caused by ice drinks]

Abstract

A large number of patients with fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain outbreaks in Yongan, Fujian in late Aug. 1987. 1113 patients fell ill in 5 days. S. typhi-murium were isolated from patients feces. Related HA-antibodies were detected in sera. All patients complained that they had eaten ice drink. Through investigating one of ice-bar, S. typhi-murium were detected from ice-cream and frozen cream, eggs and containers. A lot of contaminated bacteria were detected in ice cream containing 2.2 10(5)-1.5 10(8) and 2.9 10(5) in ice-brick per piece respectively. It was demonstrated that food poisoning outbreak was due to S. typhi-murium. Mean of patient's incubation period were 24.15 hrs., 78% diarrhea were less than 10 episodes. The incubation period, symptom were possessed of closed relation with the number of bacteria which patients taken in. After 4 months, a part of patients, poultry, eggs and polluted water were investigated, it was showed that S. typhi-murium were detected from 5% polluted water. Due to the potential danger has been existing. We should pay attention to surveillance and to prevent epidemic outbreak again.