Nontypical Bacillus cereus outbreak in a child care center

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Published on: March 10, 2020

R T Briley1, J H Teel, J P Fowler

  • 1Garland Health Department, 1720 Commerce, P.O. Box 469002, Garland, Texas 75046-9002, USA.

Journal of Environmental Health
|May 31, 2001
PubMed

Insights

This study documents the first outbreak of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) illness from indirect hand-to-mouth contamination. Handling contaminated rice led to illness in seven individuals at a church day school.

Area of Science:

  • Food safety
  • Microbiology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) is a common foodborne pathogen.
  • Outbreaks are typically associated with direct ingestion of the toxin produced in food.
  • Hand hygiene is crucial in preventing pathogen transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness.
  • To identify the causative agent and transmission route.
  • To document a novel transmission pathway for B. cereus.

Main Methods:

  • Epidemiological investigation by local health department.
  • Food sample collection and analysis.
  • Microbiological testing for B. cereus identification and quantification.

Main Results:

  • Seven cases of illness (six children, one adult) were linked to a church day school.
  • Contaminated hydrated rice was handled by affected individuals before meals.
  • B. cereus was identified in the rice at 5.6 x 10(5) organisms per gram.
  • Transmission occurred via indirect hand-to-mouth contact with contaminated rice.

Conclusions:

  • This outbreak represents the first documented instance of B. cereus illness due to indirect hand contamination.
  • Highlights the importance of hand hygiene in preventing foodborne illnesses, even when the toxin is not directly ingested from the food.
  • Suggests a need for increased awareness regarding non-ingestive transmission routes of B. cereus.

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