Epidemic of restaurant-associated illness due to Salmonella newport

In June and July 1982, a large outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with a barbecue restaurant involved 120 persons in central Arkansas. The illness was characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting; 23 patients (19%) were hospitalized. Epidemiologic investigation showed that persons who became ill were more likely to have eaten ham or pork sandwiches at the restaurant before their illness than those who remained well. Stool cultures from 19 customers and each of the eight restaurant employees were positive for Salmonella newport. Cultures of a ham slice obtained from the restaurant and a partially consumed pork sandwich obtained from one ill person both grew Salmonella of same serotype.