A large outbreak of salmonellosis and its economic cost

In the summer of 1989, a large outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred in persons attending a barbeque. An investigation was carried out to determine the cause, institute control measures, and to estimate the costs involved in the outbreak. Epidemiological investigation revealed that chicken served at the barbeque was the pecant food, which was confirmed by microbiological investigation. Prompt institution of control measures resulted in early containment of secondary spread. Nevertheless, the total cost of the outbreak amounted to 77,995 pounds. The economic impact of this outbreak was therefore considerable.