FOOD POISONING OUTBREAK IN UiTM, DUNGUN, TERENGGANU, 1999.

Abstract

Food poisoning is still a major problem in the state of Terengganu. The study was conducted during an episode of food poisoning outbreak which occurred in October 1999, at Universiti Tekonologi Mara (UiTM), Dungun to determine the etiology, mode of transmission, source, and the risk factors of the outbreak and hence to take appropriate remedial actions and preventive measures. A retrospective cohort study was conducted amongst 925 students using a standard questionnaire as well as environmental investigation and bacterial subtyping. All the samples were Malay females, age ranging from 19 -22 years. It was found that majority of the victims (72.1 %) presented with abdominal cramp, 68.5% headache, 60.0% diarrhea, 55.2%fever, 45.0% nausea, 39.0% muscle ache and 3 I. 7% vomiting. The epidemic curve suggested of a common source of infection and the most probable food that has been contaminated was taken during lunch hour on October 20,i' 1999. Statistical analysis showed that spices fried chicken and "nasi minyak" were significantly associated with the illness ( p < 0. 05). The most likely causative organism was Salmonella spp as Supported by the clinical presentation and incubation period of the disease, identification of contaminated food, bacterial subtyping result and environmental findings. Following the outbreaks, several remedial actions were taken including immediate close-up of the canteen for 14 days, treatment for the cases and health examination and typhoid immunization for all food handlers.