Outbreak of staphylococcal food poisoning associated with precooked ham--Florida, 1997

On September 27, 1997, a community hospital in northeastern Florida notified the St. Johns County Health Department about several persons who were treated in the emergency department because of gastrointestinal illnesses suspected of being associated with a common meal. This report summarizes the investigation of the outbreak by the Florida Department of Health; the findings implicated staphylococcal intoxication as the cause of illness among some persons who attended a retirement party on September 26, 1997.