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Nontypical Bacillus cereus outbreak in a child care center
R T Briley1, J H Teel, J P Fowler
1Garland Health Department, 1720 Commerce, P.O. Box 469002, Garland, Texas 75046-9002, USA.
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.
Abstract:
On October 29, 1998, The Garland Health Department in Texas investigated seven illnesses at a church day school. The six children and one adult had handled hydrated, orange-colored rice before consuming a meal. B. cereus organisms were found in the rice at an estimated concentration of 5.6 x 10(5) per gram. As far as the authors can determine, this outbreak is the first one documented to have occurred from indirect ingestion of B. cereus by way of contaminated hands, as opposed to ingestion of the toxin in the food product in which the organisms grew.