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London, Ontario's Online News Source"If you're on...you're in!" |
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UWO salmonella outbreak over
The outbreak of salmonella poisoning that spread from a food court on the campus of The University of Western Ontario is over, and officials now believe cross-contamination is responsible for the spread of the bacteria. The outbreak started Nov. 8 and 9 after seven cases of salmonella were confirmed, and ultimately ballooned to 90 confirmed cases as of Tuesday (Dec. 11). Health unit officials said extensive cleaning and disinfection of the University Community Centre's (UCC) food preparation area was undertaken between Nov. 16 and 18, to eliminate any potential source of contamination. That effort has been successful in controlling the outbreak, as only one person has been identified as having potentially acquired their illness after the cleaning. "The cooperative effort we undertook with Western has been very effective," said Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. "We are confident that the contamination that led to this outbreak is no longer present in the food preparation areas at the UCC." From the food items consumed and the days when they were eaten, the Health Unit identified two phases of the outbreak. The first phase appeared to be related to consuming food from a specific food outlet at the University Community Centre (UCC). The second phase was related to eating food prepared at the UCC, but available at a variety of on-campus locations. Health unit staff worked closely with Western personnel to attempt to determine the source of the bacteria and to take corrective action. Detailed inspections of the UCC were conducted, along with laboratory testing of samples from food handlers, food items and environmental surfaces. The investigation found no common food item among those who became ill. Cross-contamination of surfaces or equipment is felt to be the likely cause of the outbreak. To further investigate the cause of the outbreak, two on-line questionnaires were issued to the university population. The initial questionnaire related to the food outlet associated with the outbreak's first phase, comparing those who became ill, and those who did not, after eating on specific days. The second questionnaires focuses on food consumption patterns among those who became ill, and those who did not, from eating UCC-prepared food. It is expected that the analysis of the information that has been gathered will take several weeks, health officials said. |
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