%0 Journal Article
%T ¡®Surprise¡¯: Outbreak of Campylobacter infection associated with chicken liver pat¨¦ at a surprise birthday party, Adelaide, Australia, 2012
%A Amy Parry
%A Emily Fearnley
%A Emma Denehy
%J Western Pacific Surveillance and Response
%D 2012
%I World Health Organization
%X Objective: In July 2012, an outbreak of Campylobacter infection was investigated by the South Australian Communicable Disease Control Branch and Food Policy and Programs Branch. The initial notification identified illness at a surprise birthday party held at a restaurant on 14 July 2012. The objective of the investigation was to identify the potential source of infection and institute appropriate intervention strategies to prevent further illness.Methods: A guest list was obtained and a retrospective cohort study undertaken. A combination of paper-based and telephone questionnaires were used to collect exposure and outcome information. An environmental investigation was conducted by Food Policy and Programs Branch at the implicated premises.Results: All 57 guests completed the questionnaire (100% response rate), and 15 met the case definition. Analysis showed a significant association between illness and consumption of chicken liver pat¨¦ (relative risk: 16.7, 95% confidence interval: 2.4¨C118.6). No other food or beverage served at the party was associated with illness. Three guests submitted stool samples; all were positive for Campylobacter. The environmental investigation identified that the cooking process used in the preparation of chicken liver pat¨¦ may have been inconsistent, resulting in some portions not cooked adequately to inactivate potential Campylobacter contamination.Discussion: Chicken liver products are a known source of Campylobacter infection; therefore, education of food handlers remains a high priority. To better identify outbreaks among the large number of Campylobacter notifications, routine typing of Campylobacter isolates is recommended.
%K Campylobacter outbreak
%K Australia
%K 2012
%U http://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/168/187