Sudden outbreak of Shigella among food handlers working at university student`s cafeteria

Year 2017, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 10 - 15, 30.03.2017

Birhanemeskel Tegene

https://doi.org/10.5455/jicm.20160903102825

Abstract

Background: Food
borne disease outbreaks have resulted from unhygienic food handling and
preparation practices within food establishments consequently have severe
social and economic impacts on the human population. This study was aimed at
exploring the prevalence of Shigella species and S. typhi carrier rate among food handlers at Gondar University
student’s cafeteria.

Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among food handlers
working at Gondar University students’ cafeteria. A pre-tested structured
questionnaire was used for collecting data. Stool samples were investigated for
Shigella species outbreak and S. typhi
as per the standard of laboratory methods.

Results: Among
395 food handlers, females comprised 289 (73.2%). The majority 220 (55.7%) were
young adults 18-28 years. Fifty three (13.4%) of the food handlers have active
diarrhea during the study period. Stool cultures revealed the isolation of
10(2.5%) Shigella species. No S. typhi
was isolated. All shigella species were sensitive for ciprofloxacin and
ceftriaxone. Thirty percent of the isolates were resistant for amoxicillin and
tetracycline.

Conclusion: Isolation
of Shigella species from food handlers pose significant risk on the student’s
population being served in the cafeteria. Therefore, it is essential for
University of Gondar to implement food handlers training on food safety,
conduct periodic medical checkup and continuous monitoring of personal hygiene.

Keywords

Food handlers, Shigella species, Gondar

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