“An Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis: A Brief Epidemiological and Environmental Health Investigation, Georgia 2022”
Abstract
Background: Improper food storage, handling, and heating are often associated with Salmonella outbreaks. An outbreak of Salmonella cases all associated with a particular food outlet prompted the Georgia Department of Public Health and Fulton County Board of Health to launch an investigation.
Methods: Six initial Salmonella cases were identified through the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (Sendss). Through routine public health interview, it was determined that all of these cases reported eating at the implicated restaurant. Whole genome sequencing was performed to identify additional cases with highly related isolates. Public health interviews were performed on all associated cases, and an in-person inspection of the food outlet was executed by epidemiology and environmental health staff.
Results: Through these methods, 26 total associated cases were identified. Of the 26 associated cases, 6 were hospitalized. 16 were lab-confirmed and 10 were probable. Each of the 26 identified cases reported eating the same dish from the food outlet, Pasta Carbonara, which is typically prepared with raw egg. Upon inspection of the food outlet, it was determined that the raw egg mixture used in this dish was being improperly stored, handled, and heated. Consuming pasta carbonara from the particular food outlet is notably associated with the Salmonella enteritidis outbreak.
Conclusion: Pasta carbonara was the likely source of 26 outbreak-associated Salmonella enteritidis infections. The collaborative public health investigation led to the identification of the suspected source of the outbreak, and subsequent intervention led to the food outlet removing pasta carbonara from their menu permanently. Food safety authorities should follow up regularly with restaurants to conduct annual inspections and enforce guidelines for proper food preparation. Restaurants should adhere to the guidelines and food safety protocols for safe preparation and sale of pasta carbonara.
Keywords: Salmonella Enteritidis, environmental health, epidemiology, public health interventions, foodborne disease outbreaks
Keywords
Keywords: Salmonella Enteritidis, environmental health, epidemiology, public health interventions, foodborne disease outbreaks
“An Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis: A Brief Epidemiological and Environmental Health Investigation, Georgia 2022”
Background: Improper food storage, handling, and heating are often associated with Salmonella outbreaks. An outbreak of Salmonella cases all associated with a particular food outlet prompted the Georgia Department of Public Health and Fulton County Board of Health to launch an investigation.
Methods: Six initial Salmonella cases were identified through the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (Sendss). Through routine public health interview, it was determined that all of these cases reported eating at the implicated restaurant. Whole genome sequencing was performed to identify additional cases with highly related isolates. Public health interviews were performed on all associated cases, and an in-person inspection of the food outlet was executed by epidemiology and environmental health staff.
Results: Through these methods, 26 total associated cases were identified. Of the 26 associated cases, 6 were hospitalized. 16 were lab-confirmed and 10 were probable. Each of the 26 identified cases reported eating the same dish from the food outlet, Pasta Carbonara, which is typically prepared with raw egg. Upon inspection of the food outlet, it was determined that the raw egg mixture used in this dish was being improperly stored, handled, and heated. Consuming pasta carbonara from the particular food outlet is notably associated with the Salmonella enteritidis outbreak.
Conclusion: Pasta carbonara was the likely source of 26 outbreak-associated Salmonella enteritidis infections. The collaborative public health investigation led to the identification of the suspected source of the outbreak, and subsequent intervention led to the food outlet removing pasta carbonara from their menu permanently. Food safety authorities should follow up regularly with restaurants to conduct annual inspections and enforce guidelines for proper food preparation. Restaurants should adhere to the guidelines and food safety protocols for safe preparation and sale of pasta carbonara.
Keywords: Salmonella Enteritidis, environmental health, epidemiology, public health interventions, foodborne disease outbreaks
