Suspected Foodborne Illness, 1701 PAREFW

File: aackr_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 1

      MEMO FOR THE RECORD   27 Jan 91
      SUBJECT: Suspected Foodborne Illness, 1701 PAREFW
      TO: Brig Gen Caruana
      
      1. Between 1545 on 20 January and 1000 on 23 January 1991, 648
      patients reported to the 325TH TAC Hospital with acute
      gastroenteritis. Fifty-three were hospitalized and seven were
      placed in a duty not including flying status. All were returned
      to duty on or before 26 January 1991.
      
      2. A smoked veal sandwich in a box meal served all day on
      20 January 1991 was incriminated. Clostridium perfringens was
      the suspected organism. This was based on clinical signs, the
      incubation period, and the fact that no aerobic organisms were
      cultured. Clostridium requires anaerobic conditions for growth.
      Clostridium perfringens could not be confirmed because the host
      nation laboratory did not incubate the sample under anaerobic
       conditions.
     3. The contractor providing the boxed meals had a poor sanitary
        history and Environmental Health had recommended before the
           outbreak that another contractor be used. Following the
      outbreak, the contractor was stopped from providing boxed meals.
      However, despite Environmental Health's recommendation, it was
      decided that the contractor would continue to prepare and serve
      meals at the Lockheed Compound where pilots are housed.
      
       [(b)(6)]
      DONALD W. BUTTS' Col, USAF, BSC
      Director of Professional Services
      Office of the Command Surgeon