School Fund Raiser Soft Serve Ice Cream and Yogurt 2004
A Maricopa County school hosted a catered fundraiser in May. Shortly after the event, the school reported that a number of attendees had gastrointestinal distress. The local health department investigated the illnesses and gathered food histories. This information allowed officials to determine that ice cream and frozen yogurt dispensed from a soft serve machine at the event were significantly associated with illness. Environmental testing was performed on the machine. These tests were positive for bacteria. Further investigation found employees had been ill prior to the event. Stool samples tested positive for Norovirus. The investigation concluded that ill food workers contaminated the frozen treats, but there may also have been bacterial intoxication as well.
- Outbreak began:
- May 2004
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- Arizona
- Organism(s):
-
- Norovirus
- Vehicle(s):
- Dairy, Ice Cream, Unknown Pasteurization Dairy, Yogurt, Frozen, Unknown Pasteurization
- Molecular Results Available:
- No
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Restaurant
- Brand Name(s):
- Total ill:
- 53
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Unknown
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- N/A
- Number Probable Cases:
- N/A
- Number Possible Cases:
- N/A
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- No
- Number Hospitalized:
- 0
- Any Deaths:
- No
- Number Dead:
- 0
- Any References:
- Yes