An outbreak of human infection due to Salmonella typhi-murium, phage type 4, associated with the use of unpasteurized liquid egg

Abstract

During 1962, twenty-seven food poisoning incidents due to Salmonella typhimurium, phage type 4, comprising thirty-two cases and twelve symptomless excreters, occurred in the south-east Lancashire conurbation. The source of infection was a single small producer of English liquid egg. Pasteurization of the product coincided with the end of the outbreak. The cases were sporadic in distribution. Investigation of previous incidents due to this phage type in the City of Manchester pointed to egg from the same producer. As a result an investigation was made into the amount and source of unpasteurized egg in use in the city. This revealed the frequent presence of salmonella infection and demonstrated the need for pasteurization of liquid egg before use.