Salmonella outbreak at Mexico hospital affects 135 doctors

A salmonella outbreak at Mexico City’s General Hospital of Mexico has affected 135 resident and specialty doctors, after a sudden increase in gastrointestinal illness was detected on August 31.

The hospital said the outbreak was temporarily associated with food provided by its institutional cafeteria. Those affected mainly reported abdominal pain, diarrhea, low-grade fever and vomiting. Forty-one people remain hospitalized for monitoring and treatment, but the institution said they are all stable.

Laboratory tests confirmed salmonella in the cases examined. Two patients also had a coinfection with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, or ETEC, a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illness.

The hospital immediately suspended the outsourced cafeteria service for resident doctors and began searching for and monitoring people who may have been exposed. The institution did not say how many people ate the food linked to the outbreak, or how many of the 135 affected doctors had been discharged or still had symptoms without requiring hospitalization.

Health and epidemiological authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the specific source of contamination and determine further prevention and control measures. The hospital, one of Mexico’s main public institutions for specialized medical care, said it is maintaining surveillance of exposed people while the health analyses continue.

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The epidemiological and health investigation continues to determine the specific source of contamination and establish additional prevention and control measures