CHAOS UNDER CANVAS - A SALMONELLA-ENTERITIDIS PT 6B OUTBREAK

An outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis PT 6B food poisoning, the first reported of this recently described phage type, resulted in illness am ong 46 of 49 members of a camping group in North Wales, 33 of whom wer e hospitalized. Epidemiological evidence (P < 0.0001) indicated that a lemon meringue pie was the vehicle of infection. Fresh shell eggs, st ored after purchase at ambient temperature, appear to be the meet like ly source of infection, with multiplication during preparation and sub sequent storage of the pie a significant contributory factor, Campers may be at greater risk than others and should consider the use of cold boxes for the transport and storage of eggs, and avoid the preparatio n of lightly cooked egg products under these basic conditions.