An outbreak of S. indiana in a maternity unit: implications for control policies

An outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella indiana occurred in the maternity unit of a district general hospital in January 1986. The organism affected mainly new-born infants but a number of the infants' relatives, most of whom were asymptomatic, were also found to have been infected. The organism was also isolated from one non-clinical member of staff who was apparently well. Despite fairly intensive investigation, the source of introduction and means of transmission of the organism could not be clearly identified. The authors feel, however, that spread of the organism was from infant to infant via hands or clothing of uninfected members of staff and suggest that, because of the susceptibility of the neonate, such transmission takes place despite apparently adequate hygiene measures. It is recommended that detailed epidemiological investigations are undertaken early in such outbreaks, and that 'enteric measures' are implemented when the problem is first identified.