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Original Article
- An outbreak of Clostridium perfringens infection on a training ship anchored in Busan, Korea
- Seonmi Kim, Hyunjin Son
- Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024086. Published online November 7, 2024
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024086
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Abstract
Summary
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AbstractOBJECTIVES
In September 2023, an outbreak of food-borne disease occurred among students on a training ship docked in Busan. This was an epidemiological investigation with the aim of improving infection prevention activities and group meal service practices on board ships.METHODSIn this study, a case was defined as an individual who experienced diarrhea more than twice a day during their training period aboard the training ship. A total of 171 exposed individuals including 6 food handlers was well-defined; therefore, a retrospective cohort study was conducted. We administered a questionnaire and conducted laboratory tests including 38 rectal swab samples. Relative risk (95% confidence interval) for each food item was calculated.RESULTSOf the 165 students and school staff members, 41 met the case definition, resulting in an attack rate of 24.8%; all cases were students. The shape of the epidemic curve was unimodal, with the peak from 00:00 to 06:00 on September 7, 2023. <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> was detected in 9 cases, and no other pathogens were found. Significant relative risk was shown in 11 different food items.CONCLUSIONS<i>C. perfringens</i> was the causative pathogen of this outbreak on the training ship. Due to the lack of preserved food samples, the exact source of infection could not be confirmed. Ships are not classified as collective dining facilities, leaving them in a management blind spot. Therefore, specialized guidelines, voluntary inspections by the operating entities, and continuous education for managers and staff are necessary. -
SummaryKorean summary
부산의 훈련선에서 발생한 식중독은 Clostridium perfringens에 감염되어 발생한 것으로 확인되었으며, 165명 중 24.8%가 감염되었고, 2023년 9월 7일 0시에서 6시 사이에 유행곡선의 정점을 기록했다. 본 연구는 선박이 집단 급식시설로 분류되지 않아 관리의 사각지대에 놓인 점을 감안하여, 전문적인 가이드라인과 지속적인 교육, 자발적인 점검이 필요함을 제언하고 있다.Key Message
A food-borne disease outbreak occurred on a training ship in Busan, affecting a significant number of people with Clostridium perfringens infection. Among the 165 people, the attack rate was 24.8%, with the epidemic peak occurring between 0:00 and 06:00 on September 7, 2023. This study recommends implementing specialized guidelines, voluntary inspections, and continuous education to improve infection prevention practices on ships, which are not classified as collective dining facilities and thus remain in a management blind spot. -
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- Antimicrobial Resistance on Ships: A Narrative Review
Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi, Adeola Bamisaiye, Don Eliseo-Lucero Prisno
Infectious Diseases Now.2025; 55(2): 105027. CrossRef
- Antimicrobial Resistance on Ships: A Narrative Review
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