INVESTIGATION OF AN OUTBREAK OF SALMONELLA ORANIENBURG INFECTIONS IN NORWAY, CAUSED BY CONTAMINATED BLACK PEPPER

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Abstract
Gustavsen, S. (Trondheim Public Food Control Laboratory, Trondheim Board of Health, Trondheim, Norway) and O. Breen. Investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella oranienburg infections in Norway, caused by contaminated black pepper. Am J Epidemiol 1984; 119: 806–12. From November 1981 to August 31, 1982, 126 bacteriologically confirmed cases of Salmonella oranienburg infections were reported in Norway. This paper summarizes the development of the outbreak and describes the epide-miologic and microbiologic investigations leading to the discovery of contaminated black pepper as the source of the outbreak. In an investigation limited to 26 patients in the Trondelag region, the Trøndheim Public Food Control Laboratory isolated S. oranienburg from six samples of black, ground pepper from the patients' households and from 15 samples of black, ground pepper from unopened, original packings having the trademark of the Norwegian Cooperative Association (Co-op).