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Waterborne outbreak of Campylobacter enteritis
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|December 1, 1983
Summary
A 1982 enteritis outbreak in Jerusalem affected 150 people. Campylobacter jejuni was identified, with water from an unprotected reservoir suspected but not confirmed as the source.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- An outbreak of enteritis occurred in a Jerusalem kibbutz in July 1982.
- Approximately 150 out of 512 inhabitants were affected, indicating a significant public health event.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of the enteritis outbreak.
- To identify the causative agent and potential sources of infection.
Main Methods:
- Clinical data collection from affected individuals.
- Microbiological analysis of stool samples to identify enteric pathogens.
- Epidemiological investigation to determine the source of the outbreak.
Main Results:
- Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 10 of 42 stool samples examined late in the outbreak.
- No other enteric pathogens were detected in the examined samples.
- Circumstantial evidence suggested a link to an unprotected water reservoir.
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter jejuni was the likely causative agent of the enteritis outbreak.
- Contaminated water from an unprotected reservoir was strongly suspected but lacked bacteriological confirmation.