Multistate Shigellosis Outbreak and Commercially Prepared Food

Abstract

In 2000, shigellosis traced to a commercially prepared dip developed in 406 persons nationwide. An ill employee is suspected to have inadvertently contaminated processing equipment. This outbreak demonstrates the vulnerability of the food supply and how infectious organisms can rapidly disseminate through point-source contamination of a widely distributed food item.

Keywords

• Disease outbreaks
• Shigella infections
• food contamination
• food handling