SALMONELLOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH COMBI-OVEN COOKED EGG

During July 1989, four cases of Salmonella enteritidis (later identifi ed as PT24) infection were reported by laboratories in Bristol. All th ose infected had dined at a restaurant in the city. An epidemiological investigation revealed that a number of restaurant staff and 56 custo mers who had completed a questionnaire had also been ill with gastroin testinal illness. An association was found between illness and eating egg mayonnaise. A 'Combi-oven' egg-cooking technique has been identifi ed as the most likely cause of this outbreak. In view of the widesprea d commercial use of this cooking method the evidence related to this o utbreak is given in detail.