Impact of a salmonella outbreak investigation in a maximum security Scottish prison

Abstract

Following notification of a stool sample positive for Salmonella from an inmate of a maximum security prison a concerted multidisciplinary public health response was undertaken. Lanarkshire NHS Board Health Protection Team (HPT) held one Problem Assessment Group Meeting and two Outbreak Control Team Meetings. The outbreak period spanned three weeks during which there were three confirmed and six probable cases of Salmonella enteritidis PT4 in prison inmates. The source was not identified despite thorough investigation, however the outbreak control team (OCT) was able to identify key recommendations around general hygiene, shared toilet facilities and storage of cooked food in cells. The outbreak stimulated closer working arrangements between the prison medical services and the local HPT. Co-operation during the outbreak investigation and subsequent to the OCT report facilitated both operational changes at the prison and improvements to the management of infection control across the Scottish Prison Service.