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Outbreak: Plagues that changed HistorySeptember 27 – January 30, 2009
Organized by the Global Health Odyssey Museum; come see Byrn Barnard’s images of the symptoms and paths of the world’s deadliest diseases – and how the epidemics they spawned have changed history forever.
CDC Detection Networks Stop Salmonella Outbreaks in Their Tracks
A third large outbreak—Salmonella Tennessee—was linked to a peanut butter plant in Georgia. A total of 425 persons were infected in 44 states, with 20% requiring hospitalization.
With more than 40,000 cases of Salmonellosis reported in the United States each year, CDC searches for ways to improve its ability to detect, report, and contain foodborne outbreaks. Last year brought many successes in these areas, including a new molecular typing system that provides a faster, easier, and more reliable method of identifying Salmonella species.
Two powerful information tools—PulseNet and OutbreakNet—worked hand-in-hand to stop several serious outbreaks of food poisoning in FY07. OutbreakNet is a network of public health epidemiologists at the local, state and federal levels who investigate foodborne and diarrheal disease outbreaks. PulseNet is the revolutionary national surveillance system coordinated by CDC that allows public health laboratories to exchange information on foodborne bacteria “DNA fingerprint” patterns.
Like detectives searching for invisible clues, the networks used DNA sampling to identify several diarrheal illnesses caused by a rare strain of Salmonella in several states and strongly linked to a puffed rice and corn snack food with a vegetable coating. CDC reported that these illnesses were caused by Salmonella Wandsworth, a strain that had never before caused an outbreak of illness in the United States. After being informed about the outbreak investigation, the company that markets the product issued a voluntary recall.
A similar multistate outbreak—this time a Salmonella serotype called Schwarzengrund—was linked to dry pet food at a single manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. As of September 2007, 62 persons in 18 states became ill after contact with the pet food, and one quarter of them required hospitalization. The company recalled the pet food, and CDC investigators are still studying why human illness, especially among infants, is associated with dry pet food.
A third large outbreak—Salmonella Tennessee—was linked to a peanut butter plant in Georgia. A total of 425 persons were infected in 44 states, with 20% requiring hospitalization.
Critical to the success in controlling Salmonella outbreaks is fast, reliable detection. CDC scientists made a breakthrough in FY07 by developing and validating a new molecular typing system. The new system is not only faster and more reliable than classical serotyping for Salmonella species, it also is easier to use. The system is poised to replace existing technology in state public health laboratories in the near future.
Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, some persons have such severe diarrhea that they need to be hospitalized.
