Two Consecutive Outbreaks of Foodborne Gastroenteritis Caused by Salmonella Enteritidis in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: We report two foodborne outbreaks caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis occurred in four youth hostels and two private schools in Diyarbakir, Turkey to identify the involving pathogen(s) in the possible source of infection, to control and to prevent further of the outbreaks. Material and Methods: An outbreak survey was conducted and food items, water supply, work surface samples and stool cultures were analyzed. Results: Out of 346 persons, a questionnaire was administered to 208 persons, 117 affected ill and 91 control healthy persons, to describe the illness and to identify its likely source. Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis was isolated from 51 stool cultures and also samples of chicken and potatoes meals in the first outbreak and samples of green salad in the second outbreak. Conclusion: In this study, we described how we identified the sources of both outbreaks and how we managed it with a case control study.