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File: 970207_aadch_014.txt
Entameoba histolytica, giardia and salmonella were isolated from
patient stools by a local national military laboratory. Coliform
organisms were cultured from the ice.
g. October l99O, King Fahd: 100 cases of
gastroenteritis presented in less than one week. The suspected
source was green salad or salad serving utensils from an on-base
USAF-supervised dining tent.
h. October 1990, Riyadh: 400 cases of gastroenteritis
presented in less than one week. Shigella sonnet was cultured
from the stools of 15 patients. Green salads prepared in a USAF-
supervised dining tent by third country nationals and served
during a dinner meal were implicated as the source of infection
by time-distribution curve.
i. November 1990, Cairo West: 15 cases presented over a
three hour period with sudden onset of vomiting, prostration,
abdominal cramping and diarrhea. A sanitation evaluation of the
dining hall revealed no significant discrepancies. Leftover
foods were shipped to NAMRU-6 (U.S. Navy laboratory) for
analysis. Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin was found in
spaghetti and meat sauce.
j. December 1990, Taif: 86 cases of gastroenteritis
presented over a three day period, of which 79 were hospitalized.
Medical management of these cases involved the temporary
assignment from other ATHs of two auxiliary nursing teams. Most
of the more seriously ill patients were transferred to a local
national hospital along with four nurses, six medical
technicians, two physicians, one diet therapist, and one
laboratory technician. Salmonella, tyne O was cultured from 41
of 48 patients in a local national hospital laboratory. Also,
27% of patient stools reported contained Entameaba histolyica
cysts. The suspected source was grossly contaminated (feces and
feathers) raw eggs from an unapproved source which were served
undercooked (soft-scrambled) for breakfast in a USAF-supervised
dining facility. Ninety-seven percent of the ill patients had
eaten eggs (other foods = 60-63%). Patients described the eggs
as runny. The bottoms of the egg crates were contaminated with
straw, feces and dirt. Approximately 201 of the eggs arrived
cracked. Cracked eggs were not segregated and disposed of but
rather were cooked and served. Although soiled with feces and
feathers, no effort was made to wash the egg shells. Receipt
inspection by EH had not been performed. Contracting and food
service o~ficers were reportedly unaware of need to involve EH in
the receipt inspection and approved source verification process.
The dining facility handwashing stations for foodhandlers and
patrons were inadequate and minimal use was made of those
available. All eggs in remaining stock were subsequently
destroyed. Approximately 400 m.an days or^ productivity were lost
because of this outbreak.
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