New York - An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis -- an illness characterized by diarrhea, fever, and chills -- after a banquet in Spokane, Washington, may have occurred because of improper food handling, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
The outbreak was the fourth known food-related outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in the US since 1993. Cryptosporidium, a parasitic organism that can be spread via fecal contamination of food and water, was behind a 1993 Milwaukee outbreak in which contaminated tap water sickened over 400,000 people and killed 100.
In all, 54 out of the 62 people who attended the Spokane banquet became ill 3 to 9 days later, a longer incubation time than other food-contaminating organisms, such as salmonella. Two of the 14 food handlers who were tested were positive for Cryptosporidium, and one of the workers was experiencing symptoms of infection at the time of the banquet, according to the report in the July 17th issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
"The strongest association between illness and eating a menu item was observed for food items containing uncooked green onions," according to the CDC report. However, several items may have been contaminated before they arrived at the restaurant, the food handlers may have contaminated the food when it arrived, or the organism could have been spread from one food to another.
"This outbreak highlights several key issues for food workers. Uncooked produce should be thoroughly washed before being placed on kitchen work surfaces to prevent contamination of these surfaces," according to the CDC.
Food handlers should not work when they have a gastrointestinal illness, advise CDC experts. People infected with Cryptosporidium can shed infectious particles in feces for up to 60 days after diarrhea stops, although most people stop shedding such particles within 2 weeks.
"Therefore, food workers should be particularly meticulous about handwashing," according to the CDC. In 1993 and 1996, outbreaks were linked to Cryptosporidium in unpasteurized apple cider and a 1995 outbreak was linked to chicken salad that may have been contaminated by a food worker.
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