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An outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium DT170 associated with kebab meat and yoghurt relish

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 1999

M. R. EVANS
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Medicine, South Glamorgan Health Authority, Abton House, Wedal Road, Cardiff CF4 3QX
R. L. SALMON
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (Welsh Unit), Abton House, Wedal Road, Cardiff CF4 3QX
L. NEHAUL
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Medicine, Gwent Health Authority, Mamhilad House, Pontypool NP4 0YP
S. MABLY
Affiliation:
Cardiff Environmental Services, Wood Street, Cardiff CF1 1NQ
L. WAFFORD
Affiliation:
Environment and Health Division, Newport Borough Council, Newport NP9 4UR
M. Z. NOLAN-FARRELL
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Medicine, South Glamorgan Health Authority, Abton House, Wedal Road, Cardiff CF4 3QX
D. GARDNER
Affiliation:
Cardiff Environmental Services, Wood Street, Cardiff CF1 1NQ
C. D. RIBEIRO
Affiliation:
Cardiff Public Health Laboratory, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF4 4XW
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Abstract

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During July 1995, an outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium definitive type (DT) 170, an unusual strain, occurred in South Wales. A case-control study found that illness was associated with eating kebabs (odds ratio undefined, P=0·002), doner kebabs (odds ratio 7·9, 95% confidence interval 1·5–20·5, P=0·02) and kebabs with yoghurt based relish (odds ratio undefined, P=0·009) but not with eating kebabs with mayonnaise-based relish (odds ratio 2·4, 95% confidence interval 0·4–13·9, P=0·53). Environmental investigations discovered a complex web of producers and wholesale suppliers. Kebab meat and yoghurt had been supplied to the two main implicated outlets by a single wholesaler. Samples of raw minced lamb and several environmental swabs taken at the wholesaler were positive for S. typhimurium DT170. Blood- stained, unsealed yoghurt pots were observed to be stored under a rack of raw lamb. Investigators of food poisoning outbreaks linked to takeaway food should consider cross- contaminated relishes and dressings as well as undercooked meat as potential vehicles of infection.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1999 Cambridge University Press