Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal skin infections in a US meat-packing plant

In 1985, the second reported outbreak of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) skin infections among US meat packers was recognized at an Oregon meat-packing plant. All 69 plant workers were interviewed and examined for the presence of pustular, draining, or inflamed lesions. During a three-month period, 44 episodes of skin infection occurred in 32 workers, all but four of whom worked in boning or killing areas. Acquiring infection was associated with job category (relative risk [RR], 5.7; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 2.9 to 11.3) and having at least two hand lacerations (RR adjusted for occupation, 6.2; 95% CI, 3.0 to 12.5). Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (18), Staphylococcus aureus (12), or both (20) were isolated from 70 lesions cultured. Meat is suspected as a vehicle of transmission because cultures of two meat specimens contained the same GABHS strain as did 24 isolates from patients. Increasing reports of GABHS skin infections in meat packers suggest that this occupational risk may be more common than is realized.