A Study of an Outbreak of Food Poisoning in a Hospital in Galveston, Texas

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Abstract
The authors carefully survey an outbreak of food poisoning which occurred in a general hospital among patients and personnel served from a common kitchen. An unique questionnaire method was employed in obtaining clinical and epidemiological histories of the 1000 individuals involved; at least 335 of whom showed evidence of gastrointestinal irritation. The scope of study comprised the collection of data regarding distribution of cases among patients and personnel, detn. of kinds of foods and beverages consumed, conditions under which the foods were prepd., stored, and served during several days preceding the outbreak, and submission of representative samples to 3 separate laboratories of the Univ. of Texas, Medical Dept., for bacterio- logical examinations. The sole medium of conveyance was chicken salad. The causative agent was found to be a bacterial toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus of the specifically enterotoxin-forming type. The chicken became contaminated during the process of handling and exposure of the meat or during storage in a refrigerator room which did not maintain a sufficiently low temp.

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