Staphylococcal poisoning during a village festival, Medina, Misamis Oriental, Philippines in 2014

Authors

  • John Bobbie Roca Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
  • Ruth Alma Ramos Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
  • Herdie Hizon Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
  • Vikki Carr de los Reyes Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
  • Ma Nemia Sucaldito Department of Health, Manila, Philippines
  • Enrique Tayag Department of Health, Manila, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2017.8.2.005

Abstract

Introduction: On 18 August 2014, cases of food poisoning in San Vicente Village were reported to the Event-Based Surveillance & Response Unit of the Philippine Department of Health. An investigation was conducted to identify the implicated source, describe the outbreak and evaluate the risk factors.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted. A suspected case was a previously well individual of Medina who attended the village festival and developed abdominal pain and vomiting with or without nausea, diarrhoea and fever from 18 to 19 August. A confirmed case was a suspected case with a rectal swab positive for bacterial culture. Rectal swabs, water and food samples were sent to the national reference laboratories. Food source and consumption interviews and environmental inspections were conducted.

Results: Sixty-four cases and 123 unmatched controls were identified. The median incubation period was 1 hour 15 minutes. Five cases (8%) were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, one (2%) for Aeromonas hydrophilia and one (2%) for Shigella boydii. One (14%) water sample was positive for Aeromonas spp. Of the collected food samples, beef steak was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Risk factors were consumption of Filipino-style beef stew (odds ratio [OR]: 6.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.90–15.12) and stir-fried noodles (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.52–6.50). Prolonged serving time and improper food storage were noted.

Discussion: In this foodborne outbreak, Staphylococcus aureus was the likely causative agent. Meals were contaminated due to improper food handling practices. We recommend that a policy be created to mandate that village-appointed food handlers undergo food safety training.

Author Biography

John Bobbie Roca, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines

Fellow - Field Epidemiology Training Program

Epidemiology Bureau

Department of Health

Manila, Philippines

Published

21-05-2019

How to Cite

1.
Roca JB, Ramos RA, Hizon H, de los Reyes VC, Sucaldito MN, Tayag E. Staphylococcal poisoning during a village festival, Medina, Misamis Oriental, Philippines in 2014. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2019 May 21 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];10(2). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/551

Issue

Section

Outbreak Investigation Report

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