Outbreak of Salmonella eimsbuettel in newborn infants spread by rectal thermometers

Over a six-week period there were 25 episodes of Salmonella eimsbuettel infection in newborn infants, mothers, and staff in a modern maternity hospital with 3600 annual deliveries. The probable source was a mother and her child, and the organism was spread by rectal thermometers in the labour suite and one of the wings (wards). When the thermometers were withdrawn from use and correctly disinfected the outbreak in babies ceased. Environmental cross-infection of staff was halted by closure, cleaning, and disinfection of the clinical area mainly affected. Some babies had diarrhoea but quickly recovered, and none came to harm. The infected staff had no symptoms and returned to duty after three negative cultures. Measurement of temperature is still an important observation in the care of newborn infants, but for everyday care it is recommended that rectal thermometry be discontinued and replaced by axillary measurement.