Foodborne streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis outbreak in a hospital.

Abstract

Objective: Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GAS), which are responsible for most cases of acute bacterial tonsillopharyngitis, are transmitted from person to person and may rarely cause foodborne outbreaks. This study aims to report the epidemic caused by GAS in our hospital and to draw attention to the explosive outbreaks of the bacteria.

Methods: Acute tonsillopharyngitis was seen in 201 of 450 hospital employees who ate in the hospital cafeteria on 4-5 June 2015.

Results: GAS was detected in 106 (68%) of 157 cases and in 40 (63.5%) of 62 throat culture samples. The attack rate was 44.7%. The most suspected source of the outbreak was a food handler who had been showing signs of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis for six days, and perhaps the food prepared by these staff.

Conclusion: It should not be forgotten that GAS can cause explosive outbreaks by infecting food through hand lesions or mouth secretions of food service personnel.