Clostridium perfringens Foodborne Outbreak during an Athletic Event in Northern Greece, June 2019.

Kassiani Mellou,Anthi Chrysostomou,Maria Kyritsi,Theologia Sideroglou,Theano Georgakopoulou,Christos Hadjichristodoulou

doi:10.3390/ijerph16203967

Abstract

Background: Food safety is a major public health consideration during athletic events. On 27 June 2019, the Hellenic National Public Health Organization was notified of a cluster of gastroenteritis cases among athletes of four of the 47 teams participating at the Panhellenic Handball Championship for children. Methods: A retrospective cohort study among the members of the four teams was performed. The local public health authority visited the restaurants where common meals took place, amassed information on the preparation of meals, and collected samples of leftovers. Stool samples were tested for Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. Results: Consumption of minced beef had a statistically significant association with disease occurrence [RR:8.29 (95%CI 1,31-52,7)]. Samples of meat were found positive for Clostridium perfringens. It was documented that the meat was not stored and re-heated as indicated. Stool samples were negative for Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. and were not tested for the Clostridium perfringens toxin. Conclusion: Specific standards should be kept to prevent outbreaks during athletic events. This was the first time that a foodborne outbreak due to Clostridium perfringens was investigated in the country. Laboratory investigation for toxins should be enhanced, especially in foodborne outbreaks where clinical manifestations of cases are found to be compatible with infection caused by a toxin.

Highlights

On 27 June 2019, the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY) was notified by a general hospital in Northern Greece of a cluster of eight children with gastroenteritis symptoms
EODY worked with the local public health directorate to define the extent of the outbreak, investigate the factors that led to its occurrence, and implement measures
Even though the investigation of outbreaks caused by toxins has not been a priority in the past, data show that the overall burden of foodborne diseases due to toxins in the community is high, and proper investigation and implementation of public health measures should not be neglected [14,15,16]. This was the first time that a foodborne outbreak due to Clostridium perfringens was investigated by public health authorities in the country

Summary

Introduction

On 27 June 2019, the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY) was notified by a general hospital in Northern Greece of a cluster of eight children with gastroenteritis symptoms. 47 teams with 590 children from all over Greece had arrived at the town on 25 June to participate in the championship. Food safety is a major public health consideration during athletic events. On 27 June 2019, the Hellenic National Public Health Organization was notified of a cluster of gastroenteritis cases among athletes of four of the 47 teams participating at the Panhellenic Handball. The local public health authority visited the restaurants where common meals took place, amassed information on the preparation of meals, and collected samples of leftovers. Stool samples were tested for Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. Stool samples were negative for Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion