J Korean Med Sci.  2010 Nov;25(11):1595-1600. 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.11.1595.

Epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni Outbreak in a Middle School in Incheon, Korea

• Yu JH
• Kim NY
• Cho NG
• Kim JH
• Kang YA
• Lee HG

• KMID: 1779229
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2010.25.11.1595

Abstract

On July 6, 2009, an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred among middle school students in Incheon. An investigation to identify the source and describe the extent of the outbreak was conducted. A retrospective cohort study among students, teachers, and food handlers exposed to canteen food in the middle school was performed. Using self-administered questionnaires, information was collected concerning on symptoms, days that canteen food was consumed, and food items consumed. Stool samples were collected from 66 patients and 11 food handlers. The catering kitchen was inspected and food samples were taken. Of the 791 people who ate canteen food, 92 cases became ill, representing an attack rate of 11.6%. Thirty-one (40.3%) of the 77 stool specimens were positive for Campylobacter jejuni. Interviews with kitchen staff indicated the likelihood that undercooked chicken was provided. This is the first recognized major C. jejuni outbreak associated with contaminated chicken documented in Korea.

Keyword

Campylobacter; Epidemiology; Disease Outbreaks

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Animals
Campylobacter Infections/*epidemiology
*Campylobacter jejuni
Chickens
Cohort Studies
*Disease Outbreaks
Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
Environmental Exposure
Female
Food Contamination
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Questionnaires
Republic of Korea
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Water Microbiology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The epidemic curve by symptom onset date in a middle school.

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  Fig. 2 Results of PFGE analyses.

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