IPROC iproc Iproceedings 2369-6893 JMIR Publications Toronto, Canada v8i1e36438 10.2196/36438 Abstract Abstract A Food Poisoning Outbreak Caused by Shigella in Al-Mafraq, Jordan, in 2019 Khader Yousef Alkhalili Mais MPH 1
Ministry of Health Primary Health Care Directorate/ 6th Floor Amman Jordan 962 795509481 drmaiskhalili@gmail.com
Ministry of Health Amman Jordan Corresponding Author: Mais Alkhalili drmaiskhalili@gmail.com Jan-Dec 2022 21 2 2022 8 1 e36438 14 1 2022 24 1 2022 ©Mais Alkhalili. Originally published in Iproceedings (https://www.iproc.org), 21.02.2022. 2022

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 Background

On October 6, 2019, 55 residents of Bala'ama town in Al-Mafraq, Jordan, were admitted to the local health care center with symptoms of food poisoning.

 Objective

This study aimed to identify the cause of the food poisoning outbreak.

 Methods

This descriptive study is a cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the Directorate of Communicable Diseases in the Ministry of Health. A total of 25 stool samples from patients and an additional 2 samples from workers in the restaurant were collected and tested. An environmental survey of the food and water was also conducted.

 Results

The period of the outbreak was from October 6 to 10, 2019. The highest proportion of patients were children under 5 years of age. More females than males were affected. Stool test results were positive for Shigella sonnei in 15 samples and rotavirus in 7 samples. Chloride concentration was 0 in the water samples.

 Conclusions

The food poisoning outbreak was caused by consumption of hummus from a neighborhood restaurant, which was contaminated with S. sonnei.

 food poisoning outbreak Shigella