The Aberdeen Outbreak of Milk-Borne Gaertner Enteritis, July, 1925

Abstract

An epidemic of enteritis due to infection of milk with a Flexner type dysentery bacillus, causing over 1000 cases and 72 deaths, occurred in Aberdeen in 1919, and has previously been recorded in the Journal of Hygiene(1). Another mild-borne outbreak of enteritis, causing 110 cases and no deaths, occurred in 1923, and has similarly been recorded(2). The cause of this outbreak was not determined, but was assumed to be due to a living bacillus of unrecognised type. In July, 1925, there occurred a further extensive outbreak of enteritis, which has been proved to be due to infection of milk with Bacillus enteritidis Gaertner, and as the infection has been proved to be of bovine origin, the Gaertner bacillus having been isolated from the udder and flesh of the diseased cow, as well as from the infective milk, it appears advisable to record the out-break in considerable detail.