2016 Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Infections at Oak Grove Eatery, Wooster, Ohio

In May 2016 state and local public health officials in Ohio investigated a foodborne illness outbreak among customers of Oak Grove Eatery, a restaurant located in Wooster. A total of 29 ill cases were identified. Seventeen cases were laboratory confirmed with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis. One person who was culture positive for Salmonella acquired their infection secondarily through contact with an ill Oak Grove Eatery patron. Two of the ill cases were employees of the restaurant. Seven patients were hospitalized. No one died. A case control study was conducted. Statistical analysis of foods consumed strongly implicated hollandaise sauce as the contaminated food item, (Relative risk 9.47; 95% confidence interval 1.4-4.61, p-value 0.0000095).

Overview

Outbreak began:May 2016
Affected country:US
States/territories:OH
Pathogen:Salmonella Enteritidis
Vehicle(s):hollandaise sauce, raw eggs
Location(s):Restaurant
Brand name(s):Oak Grove Eatery
Molecular test results:yes

Health impact

Total ill:29
Number hospitalized:7

Sources & documents

Outbreak documents