Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

		k. December 1990, Jeddah: 23 cases of AGE were treated. The suspected food was catered 
vanilla pudding/custard filled cake, from which Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin and bacillus 
cereus were cultured.

		l. January 1991, Cairo West: eight cases of AGE seen over a 24 hour period. There were 
other complaints of personnel reportedly ill but not seeking medical treatment. The suspected food 
was ham/tuna casserole which was served cold the next day. Patrons had reheated individual portions 
in a microwave oven.

		m. January 1991, Jeddah: 648 cases, Implicated meal was smoked veal sandwich in catered 
boxed lunch prepared in off base local national facility and served all day 20 January. Clostridium 
perfringens was the suspected pathogen. All stool specimens were negative. However, the local host 
nation laboratory did not include testing for anaerobes.

		n. February 1991, Jeddah: 59 cases of AGE were treated, 14 of which were admitted. The 
suspect meal was catered undercooked baked turkey. Salmonella enteritidis type d was cultured from 
stools. The local national caterer cited complacency of one of their middle managers as cause of 
problem. The manager was subsequently transferred.

		o. March 1991, A1 Dhafra: 10 cases with a mixture of GI symptoms approximately six - 
eight hours after eating dinner. A case-control study showed an association with eating yakisoba at 
chow hall #2. Food samples were not available. Leftovers had been discarded. Food handling 
practices were evaluated and found acceptable as was personal hygiene. These symptoms and 
incubation were consistent with staphylococcal or Bacillus cereus food poisoning.

		p. March 1991, Doha: 14 cases of AGE, five hospitalized. Five had stools positive for 
Salmonella enteritidis Type D. Although no common meal was implicated, a USAF dining facility was 
suspected. No food remained for testing. Rectal swaps of foodhandlers were obtained.

V. 	PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED:

	1. There was no dedicated vehicle for use by Environmental Health and Bioenvironmental 
Engineering in the conduct of preventive medicine tasks. Access to a vehicle was a limiting factor 
in efforts to inspect food facilities and food.

	2. The Wing Commander did not have tradition control over feeding facilities run by local 
nationals. USAF sanitary standards could not be enforced in some cases.

Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search