OUTBREAKS OF INFECTIOUS INTESTINAL DISEASE IN RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS IN ENGLAND AND WALES 1992-1994

Data from the surveillance scheme of all general outbreaks of infectio us intestinal disease in England and Wales reported to, or otherwise i dentified, by the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Diseas e Surveillance Centre (CDSC) in 1992 and 1994 were used to describe th e epidemiology of outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease in reside ntial institutions. Outbreaks in residential institutions accounted fo r 22% (282/1275) of all outbreaks with most, 95% (268/282), occurring in homes for the elderly. The commonest pathogens in these 282 outbrea ks were small round structured viruses 48% (132), salmonellas 17% (49) Clostridium perfringens 8% (23), rotavirus 5% (15) and Shigella sonne i 2% (6). The mode of transmission was described as mainly person to p erson in 71% (200 outbreaks) and mainly foodborne in 21% (58 outbreaks ). The mean duration of outbreaks was 9 days. Duration of outbreaks va ried with both the mode of transmission and the pathogen involved. The mean attack rate was 37%. Illness was reported in 5872 people. One or more individuals were admitted to hospital in 22% of outbreaks. Twent y-six deaths were reported, of which 18 were attributed to salmonellos is. Outbreaks in residential institutions are common. Attack rates are high and outbreaks are often prolonged, with high morbidity and morta lity. There is a need for effective infection control policies which i nclude appropriate training of staff, simple surveillance systems and readily available expert advice to ensure outbreaks are rapidly contro lled.