Salmonella ealing infections associated with consumption of infant dried milk

In an outbreak of Salmonella ealing infections in November and December, 1985, the proportion of infants infected was in excess of the normal distribution pattern and the cases were geographically widespread. All the infected infants had been fed with a dried-milk product from one manufacturer. Despite intensive efforts to isolate S ealing from packets of the product, it was found only in low numbers in 4 of 267 sealed packets. The source of infection was traced to the factory spray-drier, which had a hole in its inner lining, allowing escape of powder and its return from contaminated insulation material. The plant was closed and the equipment scrapped and later replaced. It is recommended that raw milk and whey, which frequently contain salmonellae, should not be allowed onto the site of milk-drying plants.