Epidemiological and clinical characterization of staphylococcal food poisoning at a Military Training School in Zarqa : report of an outbreak

Abstract EN

Objective : To report and to determine the cause and source of food poisoning which occurred at a Military Training School in Zarqa at July 15th 2009, and to characterize staphylococcal food poisoning.

Methods : A total of 243 students who developed signs and symptoms of suspected food poisoning at a Military Training School in Zarqa on July 15th 2009 were interviewed using a structured special food poisoning questionnaire.

Data were transferred to a specified food poisoning attack rate table where the incubation period, attack rates, attributable risks, relative risks, chi square, confidence intervals and p-value were calculated.

Stool specimens, food and water samples were collected and analyzed.

Results : The data collection, laboratory and environmental sanitation indicate that this food poisoning was caused by Staphylococcus aureus and the incriminated food was the dairy product (Labanah) component of a breakfast meal.

Conclusion : This outbreak highlights the public health significance of positive food poisoning outbreaks that may involve a large number of people in a close community.