Australia Uncooked, Semi-Dry Fermented Sausage 1995, Non O157 E. coli
An outbreak of E. coli O111:NM in South Australia was associated with eating uncooked, semi-dry, fermented sausage that had been produced by a single manufacturer. E.coli O111:NM was isolated in the sausage and matched the strain that had been isolated from ill persons. The E.coli was PCR-positive for shiga-like toxin (SLT) genes and fermented sorbitol. This strain would not have been detected by sorbitol-MacConkey medium, which was the then recommended laboratory testing medium for E.coli O157:H7 screening. Screening by PCR assisted in this outbreak investigation, however this method was not typically available at the time.
- Outbreak began:
- December 1994
- Affected Country:
- International
- Affected States/Territories:
- Not Applicable
- Organism(s):
-
- Non-O157 STEC
- Vehicle(s):
- Luncheon Meat and Sausage, mettwurst
- Molecular Results Available:
- Unknown
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Unknown
- Brand Name(s):
- Product Subject to Recall:
- Yes
-
- Recall Links:
- Unknown
- Total ill:
- 81
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 54
- Number Probable Cases:
- 27
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Any Deaths:
- Yes
- Number Dead:
- 1
- Any References:
- Yes