A prolonged outbreak of streptococcal infection among workers at a meat plant

We describe an outbreak of skin sepsis due to an erythromycin-resistant strain of Streptococcus pyogenes in workers at a meat plant. The outbreak began among butchers in the boning room but subsequently spread to other groups of workers in the plant. Despite the introduction of additional control measures, the outbreak persisted for 7 months and affected 46/194 staff with 'hands on' occupations. Spread of infection from the plant to a retail butcher was documented.