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A prolonged outbreak of ornithosis in duck processors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

C. P. ST. J. Newman ,
S. R. Palmer ,
F. D. Kirby  and
E. O. Caul
C. P. ST. J. Newman
Affiliation:
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Public Health Laboratory Service, Colindale Avenue, London N.W.9
S. R. Palmer
Affiliation:
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (Welsh Unit), Public Health Laboratory Service, Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Cardiff.
F. D. Kirby
Affiliation:
Welsh Office Agriculture Department, Veterinary Investigation Centre, Aberystwyth.
E. O. Caul
Affiliation:
Regional Public Health Laboratory, Public Health Laboratory Service, Bristol.
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Summary

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In 1985 an outbreak of ornithosis affected 13 of 80 (16%) workers in a duck-processing plant. New employees were three times more likely to become cases than established employees. The highest attack rate was in those on the production line. Following the outbreak, an occupational health scheme was set up to monitor the health of new recruits to the company. Serological evidence of recent infection was demonstrated in 18 of 37 (49%) new employees tested in the first 3 months of employment. Five (14%) also had clinical evidence of ornithosis. Veterinary investigation of the ducks demonstrated a high proportion with asymptomatic chlamydial infection. It is suggested that ornithosis may be more common in duck processors than ins processors than is currently supposed. Strategies to reduce occupational risks are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 108 , Issue 1 , February 1992 , pp. 203 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

References

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