AN OUTBREAK OF GROUP-C STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION IN A MATERNITY UNIT

An outbreak of Group C streptococcal infection (Streptococcus equisimi lis serotype T204) occurred in a Maternity Unit in Durham over a 2-wee k period. The outbreak strain possessed an M-protein antigen identical to that found in a previously reported Maternity Unit outbreak. Seven patients in total were affected, and in two patients infected perinea l wounds took several weeks to heal. The source of the outbreak appear ed to be a patient who developed a perineal wound infection and who su bsequently returned to the ward for reassessment. Environmental contam ination is likely to have been the reservoir of infection for the subs equent patients. The outbreak was controlled by applying strict infect ion control procedures and establishing a high standard of routine cle aning.