[Infectious food poisoning in the Autonomous Basque Community (1984-1986)]

The results of the study of 117 outbreaks of food poisoning in the Basque Autonomous Community during 1984-1986 are reported. In 76% of these outbreaks the causative agent could be isolated. Bacteria of the genus Salmonella accounted for 86.5% of the outbreaks with a known etiology, S. enteritidis being the most commonly found serotype. In 90% of the outbreaks caused by Salmonella, the transmission was by eggs or egg containing products. The features of food poisoning in the Basque Autonomous Community are discussed.