Hepatitis A outbreak involving bread.

Abstract

SUMMARYAn outbreak of hepatitis A involved more than 50 residents of a group of villages in the late spring and summer of 1989. The only food that was common to all the laboratory-confirmed cases was bread, purchased either unwrapped or as rolls, sandwiches or filled rolls, and supplied either directly from one shop or indirectly through its subsidiary outlets. It was concluded that this bread was the most likely vehicle of transmission of the hepatitis A virus and that the bread was contaminated by soiled hands which were inadequately washed because of painful skin lesions. Comprehensive control measures were successful in limiting further spread of the infection. This outbreak highlights the transmissibility of hepatitis A virus on food. The use of disposable gloves when handling food which is to be consumed without further cooking would prevent transmission of this or other infectious agents by this route.

A multi-state outbreak of Salmonella serotype Thompson infection from commercially distributed bread contaminated by an ill food handler

“…Bread is an unexpected source of salmonellosis, as bread does not usually contain animal products which could serve as a source of contamination, and because temperatures achieved during the baking process would typically destroy any contaminating enteric pathogen [9]. Indeed, we are only aware of one previous foodborne outbreak due to bread ; a hepatitis A outbreak associated with sandwich bread and rolls thought to be contaminated by an infected employee who handled the bread after baking [10].…”

Recent Trends in Foodborne Infections in Europe and North America

“…Outbreaks of viral gastro‐enteritis or hepatitis A in which other food vehicles such as salads, sandwiches and cold buffet meals have been incriminated, have occurred[54,55]. Hepatitis A outbreaks associated with unusual foods such as frozen raspberries[56,57] and bread[58] have also been reported.…”

Detection of hepatitis A viral RNA in sera of patients with acute hepatitis A

“… 1,2 Outbreaks of hepatitis A related to food, water and blood product contamination and unknown causes have been reported frequently in many areas. 3–8 Hepatitis A, therefore, still remains a major problem in both clinical and socioeconomic aspects.…”