In May 10, 2010, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Washington County Public Health and Environment (WCPHE) staff investigated an outbreak of Clostridium perfringens intoxications associated with a Mother’s Day brunch held at a restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota on May 9. Individuals from separate households reported illness.

Using a reservation list of restaurant patrons representing over 650 guests, WCPHE interviewed 36 people to obtain information about foods consumed from a buffet line. Twenty three people met the definition of an outbreak associated case. No one was hospitalized and no one died. Four stool samples were culture positive for Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin A with indistinguishable pulsed field gel electrophoresis patterns. The stool samples were negative for all other bacterial and viral enteric pathogens.

In the univariate analysis, consumption of prime rib (18 of 23 cases vs. 4 of 13 controls; odds ratio, 8.1;95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 37.8; p = 0.005) was significantly associated with illness. None of the other buffet food items, beverages or ice were statistically associated with illness.

WCPHE obtained illness histories and food worker duties were obtained from 64 (84%) of the 76 employees. Fifty two worked on May 9. One ill food worker was identified through the investigative process and sent home. The ill food worker had a similar illness history as the patrons. The employee’s stool sample tested positive for C. perfringens enterotoxin A and was a PFGE match to patrons. The employee’s sample also tested positive for norovirus.

cannot work while ill with vomiting and/or diarrhea and that proper handwashing must be

Public health investigators concluded that the outbreak was associated with consumption of prime rib at a Mother’s Day buffet held at a restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota on May 9. The outbreak resulted from inadequate cooking and hot holding temperatures of prime rib, which created a favorable environment for C. perfringens proliferation and survival.