An Epidemiological Investigation of a Food Poisoning Outbreak in Paisha Township, Penghu County, Taiwan

Jiang DD

2003 Vol.19 NO.2

Correspondence Author：

Abstract：

On May 7, 2001, the Wu’s family of Niaoyu Village, Paisha Township, Penghu County, had a wedding lunch party at the village recreational center by catering service. In the evening, some tens of guests developed symptoms of food poisoning such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. None of the vegetarians became ill. Of the 280 guests questionnaire-interviewed, 85 met the definition of case, giving an attack rate of 30.4%. Their major symptoms included, by order, watery diarrhea (100%), abdominal pain (83.5%), vomiting (32.9%), nausea (29.4%), dizziness (29.4%), chill (16.5%), and fever (10.6%). The incubation period was 3-33 hours, with a median of 16 hours. Most cases recovered within 3 days. By these specific features and the Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from the 22 rectal swabs, it was concluded that Vibrio parahaemolyticus was the pathogenic agent of this food poisoning outbreak.