MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Multiple-Serotype Salmonella Gastroenteritis Outbreak After a Reception — Connecticut, 2009

Bill Gerrish
Director Office of Communication
Connecticut Department of Public Health
(860) 509-7270 [office]

In September 2009, the Connecticut Department of Public Health identified an outbreak of Salmonella gastroenteritis among attendees at a reception. An outbreak investigation was conducted and nine cases were identified. Potato salad consumption was strongly associated with illness, although the exact mechanism of contamination is unclear. Five cases and one asymptomatic food worker had stool samples positive for Salmonella species. This outbreak was notable because two different Salmonella serotypes were identified. Standard public health laboratory practices in Connecticut and special testing techniques led to the identification of the two different serotypes. Multiple-serotype Salmonella outbreaks might occur more frequently than recognized. Health departments should be aware of this possibility. Detection of multiple Salmonella serotypes is facilitated by capacity at public health laboratories to perform comprehensive testing.

2. Use of a Self-Assessment Questionnaire for Food Safety Education in the Home Kitchen — Los Angeles County, California, 2006–2008

Sarah Kissell
Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
(213) 989-7183 [direct line]
(213) 240-8144 [media line]

This report released today describes the latest effort by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to further reduce foodborne illnesses in the county through its ongoing Home Kitchen Self-Assessment Program. This voluntary program features an interactive, web-based questionnaire, titled "The Food Safety Quiz," as a learning tool for promoting safer food hygiene practices at home. To date, more than 13,000 adults have participated in this program, with more than 80 percent reporting they are the home’s primary cook. 17 percent said they believed they had gotten sick from eating at home. The program finds that if home kitchens were graded the same as commercial restaurants, only about one-third of them would receive an "A" rating. In light of recent foodborne illness outbreaks, such as salmonella related to the nationwide egg recall, several sources of infection other than restaurant foods continue to pose substantial risks to the population. These sources include hazards in the food supply, in the food processing and distribution chain, in the workplace, and in particular, the home kitchen. The LACDPH Home Kitchen Self-Inspection Program is among the first and largest efforts to help eliminate foodborne illnesses by using a free, interactive, web-based learning tool to educate the public about home food safety. The program is available through Public Health’s website at: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

3. Updated Recommendations for Prevention of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Among Adults Using the 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23)

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
(404) 639-3286

This report provides updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) through use of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) among all adults aged ≥65 years and those adults aged 19–64 years with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk for serious pneumococcal infection. The new recommendations include the following changes from previous ACIP recommendations: 1) indications for which PPSV23 vaccination is recommended now include cigarette smoking and asthma, and 2) routine use of PPSV23 is no longer recommended for Alaska Natives or American Indians aged ≤65 years unless they have medical or other indications for PPSV23.

 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES