An enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli outbreak spread through the environment at an institute for people with intellectual disabilities in Japan in 2005

Authors

  • Masaki Ota Division of Technical Assistance, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Tokyo, Japan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3539-4535
  • Taro Kamigaki Department of Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
  • Satoshi Mimura Department of Respiratory Medicine, Japan Self Defense Force Central Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
  • Kazutoshi Nakashima Department of Health Science, Faculty of Sports and Health Science, Daito Bunka University, Saitama, Japan
  • Takashi Ogami Hokubu Health Office, Oita Prefecture, Oita, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2017.8.4.010

Abstract

Objective: An enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) outbreak at an institute with multiple facilities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities was investigated to characterize the cases and identify risk factors for infection.

Methods: A case was defined as a resident, a staff member or a visitor at the institute from 16 May through 30 June 2005 testing positive for type 2 Vero toxin-producing EHEC O157:H7 (confirmed case) or exhibiting bloody diarrhoea for two or more days (probable case). We collected and analysed demographic, clinical, laboratory and individual behaviour data to identify possible risk factors for infection and infection routes.

Results: We recorded 58 confirmed cases, of which 13 were symptomatic. One probable case was also found. The median age of the patients was 37 years (range: 6–59 years). Thirty-six patients (61%) were male. Thirteen patients (93%) had diarrhoea and six (43%) had abdominal pain. Two developed haemolytic-uraemic syndrome but recovered. All the patients were treated with antibiotics and tested negative after treatment. Some residents had problems with personal hygiene. The residents of one of the facilities who cleaned a particular restroom had 18.0 times higher odds of being infected with EHEC (95% confidence interval: 4.0–102.4) than those who did not.

Discussion: The source of the outbreak could not be identified; however, the infection may have spread through environmental sources contaminated with EHEC. We recommend that institutional settings, particularly those that accommodate people with intellectual disabilities, clean restrooms as often as possible to reduce possible infection from contact with infected surfaces.

Author Biographies

Masaki Ota, Division of Technical Assistance, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Tokyo, Japan

Head, Division of Technical Assistance

Kazutoshi Nakashima, Department of Health Science, Faculty of Sports and Health Science, Daito Bunka University, Saitama, Japan

Professor

Takashi Ogami, Hokubu Health Office, Oita Prefecture, Oita, Japan

Head, Hokubu Health Office

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Published

29-04-2019

How to Cite

1.
Ota M, Kamigaki T, Mimura S, Nakashima K, Ogami T. An enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli outbreak spread through the environment at an institute for people with intellectual disabilities in Japan in 2005. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2019 Apr. 29 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];10(2). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/585

Issue

Section

Original Research

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