1701AREFW(P) SUSPECTED FOODBORNE ILLNESS

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SUBJECT: 1701AREFW(P) SUSPECTED FOODBORNE ILLNESS

MEMO FOR THE RECORD 27 Jan 91

SUBJECT: Suspected Foodborne Illness 1701 FAREFW

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 vea1 sandwich in a box meal served al1 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