Gastrointestinal illness among contract construction workers at a chicken processing facility-Minnesota, 2016

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Food Safety

Background:

• A Campylobacter infection was identified in a construction worker at a poultry processing plant.
• This prompted an investigation into the illness and potential workplace exposures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the illness experienced by a contract construction worker.
• To determine associations between workforce exposures and illness within the facility.

Main Methods:

• Case finding utilized reportable disease surveillance and interviews with construction workers.
• A case was defined by specific gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea with fever, or diarrhea lasting ≥3 days).

Main Results:

• Fourteen cases were identified among 74 interviewed workers; four were laboratory-confirmed (Campylobacter, Salmonella).
• Illness was associated with performing electrical work (OR 10.4), taking breaks in unofficial areas (OR 6.4), bringing drinks into work areas (OR 4.2), and contact with poultry fluids (OR 6.4).
• Only 31% of workers reported receiving infectious disease prevention training.

Conclusions:

• The outbreak underscores the critical need for comprehensive hazard training for contractors.
• Host employers and staffing agencies share responsibility for ensuring contractor safety and preventing workplace infections.