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Background <p><i>Aeromonas</i> bacteria are emerging human enteropathogens that cause food poisoning, with an incubation period of 12&#xa0;h-7 days, typically 24–48&#xa0;h. On February 15, 2024, Ministry of Health was notified of a suspected food poisoning incident in Buyengo Town Council, Jinja District, where 72 people developed gastrointestinal symptoms after a funeral. We investigated to identify the cause, magnitude and risk factors for the outbreak, to inform control and prevention measures.</p> Methods <p>We defined a suspected case as onset of abdominal pain and ≥ 1 of the following symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting or nausea in any person who attended the funeral of a religious leader in Buyengo TC in Jinja District during Feb 11–22, 2024. We identified cases through health facility records and community searches. We collected data using interviewer-administered questionnaires. We conducted descriptive epidemiology and environmental assessments to generate hypotheses. We conducted an unmatched case-control study among funeral attendees, and microbiology and toxicology laboratory tests on 20 case-patients and 14 environmental samples.</p> Results <p>We identified 65 case-patients; 5% died. Common symptoms included abdominal pain (100%), diarrhea (94%), vomiting (51%) and fever (34%). All (100%) case-patients ate at least one meal at the funeral. The epidemic curve revealed multiple peaks corresponding to the different serving times at supper and breakfast. Most cases presented within 12–86&#xa0;h from Monday supper time; median incubation period was 34&#xa0;h (range = 12–211&#xa0;h). For both meals, beef soup served was topped-up with unboiled water and inadequately re-cooked. 62% of the cases compared to 38% of the controls ate beef stew at supper (OR = 2.7; 95%CI = 1.2–6.2). Additionally, 97% of the cases compared to 40% of the controls ate leftover beef stew for Tuesday breakfast (OR = 57; 95%CI = 5.4–600). The main source of water used at the funeral was ‘Kabakubya’ stream. <i>Aeromonas hydrophilia</i> and <i>Aeromonas caviae</i> were isolated in the gastric aspirate from one of the case-patients, and water from the stream.</p> Conclusion <p>This was a point source food poisoning outbreak caused by <i>Aeromonas species</i> at a funeral. The <i>Aeromonas</i> was traced to the nearby stream. Stopping use of water from the stream and enhanced water, sanitation and hygiene interventions helped control the outbreak.</p>

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Food poisoning outbreak caused by Aeromonas bacteria at a funeral in Buyengo Town Council, Jinja District, Uganda, February 2024

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月30日

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  • Yasiini Nuwamanya,
  • Innocent Ssemanda,
  • Dorothy Aanyu,
  • Brian Kibwika,
  • Shem S. Mwebaza,
  • Yunus Mbwire,
  • Gorreti A. Olupot,
  • Peruth Bamukisa,
  • Joshua Kayiwa,
  • Benon Kwesiga,
  • Lilian Bulage,
  • Richard Migisha,
  • Susan Waako,
  • Edith Namulondo,
  • Hildah T. Nansikombi,
  • Alex R. Ario

摘要

Background

Aeromonas bacteria are emerging human enteropathogens that cause food poisoning, with an incubation period of 12 h-7 days, typically 24–48 h. On February 15, 2024, Ministry of Health was notified of a suspected food poisoning incident in Buyengo Town Council, Jinja District, where 72 people developed gastrointestinal symptoms after a funeral. We investigated to identify the cause, magnitude and risk factors for the outbreak, to inform control and prevention measures.

Methods

We defined a suspected case as onset of abdominal pain and ≥ 1 of the following symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting or nausea in any person who attended the funeral of a religious leader in Buyengo TC in Jinja District during Feb 11–22, 2024. We identified cases through health facility records and community searches. We collected data using interviewer-administered questionnaires. We conducted descriptive epidemiology and environmental assessments to generate hypotheses. We conducted an unmatched case-control study among funeral attendees, and microbiology and toxicology laboratory tests on 20 case-patients and 14 environmental samples.

Results

We identified 65 case-patients; 5% died. Common symptoms included abdominal pain (100%), diarrhea (94%), vomiting (51%) and fever (34%). All (100%) case-patients ate at least one meal at the funeral. The epidemic curve revealed multiple peaks corresponding to the different serving times at supper and breakfast. Most cases presented within 12–86 h from Monday supper time; median incubation period was 34 h (range = 12–211 h). For both meals, beef soup served was topped-up with unboiled water and inadequately re-cooked. 62% of the cases compared to 38% of the controls ate beef stew at supper (OR = 2.7; 95%CI = 1.2–6.2). Additionally, 97% of the cases compared to 40% of the controls ate leftover beef stew for Tuesday breakfast (OR = 57; 95%CI = 5.4–600). The main source of water used at the funeral was ‘Kabakubya’ stream. Aeromonas hydrophilia and Aeromonas caviae were isolated in the gastric aspirate from one of the case-patients, and water from the stream.

Conclusion

This was a point source food poisoning outbreak caused by Aeromonas species at a funeral. The Aeromonas was traced to the nearby stream. Stopping use of water from the stream and enhanced water, sanitation and hygiene interventions helped control the outbreak.