Perfringens Outbreak in Evanston, Ill. Confirmed at Haven Middle School
Perfringens food poisoning often is associated with temperature abuse of food in group settings, especially when the food sits before people arrive. In Illinois, the City of Evanston Health Department was contacted by Evanston School District 65 regarding 30 individuals becoming ill after eating food catered from Merle’s Smokehouse of Evanston at parent/teacher conferences on Wednesday February 16, 2011.
Perfringens food poisoning normally lasts 24 hours, causing intense cramps and diarrhea that starts 6 to 24 hours after consumption of contaminated food. The Evanston Health Department collected samples of catered food and inspected Merle's Smokehouse. Results indicated Clostridium perfringens caused the outbreak.“The outcome of the investigation revealed unsafe food handling and temperature storage at both Merle’s BBQ Restaurant and Haven Middle School,'' Evanston Health Director Evonda Thomas said in a press release. Testing confirmed the bacteria came from barbeque pulled chicken that was delivered to Haven Middle School where it was then served “buffet style” between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Perfringens poisoning is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States and is commonly found on raw meat and poultry. A more serious but rare illness is also caused by ingesting food contaminated with Type C strains of perfringens. The latter illness is known as enteritis necroticans or pig-bel disease. Pig-bel is often fatal, but it is very rare in the U.S. The deaths are caused by infection and necrosis of the intestines and from resulting septicemia.
