Foodborne disease outbreaks in nursing homes, 1975 through 1987

Abstract

<h3>Objective.</h3> —To describe the epidemiology of foodborne disease outbreaks in nursing homes and to identify where preventive efforts might be focused. <h3>Data Sources.</h3> —Reports by state and local health departments of foodborne disease outbreaks occurring from January 1,1975, through December 31, 1987. <h3>Study Selection.</h3> —Foodborne disease outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga, on standard investigation forms. <h3>Data Extraction.</h3> —Each foodborne disease outbreak report was examined by an epidemiologist or statistician. Outbreaks were considered to have a known pathogen if confirmed by laboratory tests, and a known vehicle when an epidemiologic investigation implicated a specific food item. <h3>Data Synthesis.</h3> —From 1975 through 1987, 26 states reported 115 outbreaks of foodborne disease in nursing homes, causing illness in 4944 persons and death in 51. These outbreaks represented 2% of all reported foodborne disease outbreaks and 19% of outbreak-associated deaths in this period. Of 52 outbreaks with a known cause,<i>Salmonella</i>was the most frequently reported pathogen, accounting for 52% of outbreaks and 81% of deaths.<i>Salmonella enteritidis</i>outbreaks accounted for 56% of the<i>Salmonella</i>-associated deaths since 1981. The implicated food vehicles in<i>S enteritidis</i>outbreaks were made with eggs or prepared with equipment contaminated with eggs. Staphylococcal foodborne disease was the next most commonly identified cause, accounting for 23% of outbreaks. <h3>Conclusions.</h3> —Since the elderly are at high risk for serious morbidity from foodborne disease, nursing homes should practice careful food handling, preparation, and storage procedures; provide education for food handlers; and have active infection control programs to rapidly detect and control outbreaks of foodborne disease. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1991;266:2105-2109)

Keywords

Related Publications