2002 Outbreak of Shigellosis at an All-Inclusive Resort, British West Indies

In November 2002, the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre reported an outbreak of Shigella sonnei infections among guests of an all-inclusive resort in the British West Indies. Vacationers from the United States (n=25), Canada (n=40), and the United Kingdom (n=5) were among 78 cases identified. A genetically indistinguishable strain of Shigella sonnei was isolated from stool of 14 cases. Illness was associated with fruit juice consumption. Employees had bare hand contact during juice preparation. Restaurant inspection revealed inadequate utensils, poor handwashing technique, and poor temperature control. It seemed likely to investigators that a food service employee who had been shedding Shigella transmitted the organism to guests by contaminating juice during preparation.

Overview

Outbreak began:November 2002
Affected country:Other International
States/territories:NA
Pathogen:Shigella
Vehicle(s):Beverage
Location(s):Resort
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:78

Sources & documents

Report / reference links