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Mass infection with salmonella in nursing homes cause unclear
After the mass infection with Salmonella in nursing homes of the district of Emmendingen the cause of the infections remains unclear. Laboratory studies of consumed foods and stool samples from employees have been initiated, but results so far have been negative. A total of 30 residents of the geriatric nursing homes in Endingen and Rheinhausen are suffering from an infection with salmonella (salmonellosis), reports the "Badische Zeitung" (BZ), citing the Saarland Sister Association (operator of the nursing home). Two infected people have died of the disease in the meantime, a patient is still in critical condition.
Of the 120 residents of the geriatric nursing homes in Endingen and Rheinhausen, one quarter suffer from the Salmonella infection. As early as the end of July, the first residents are said to have shown conspicuous symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, according to the "BZ". First, an infection with norovirus was suspected as the cause, the newspaper reported, citing the chairman of the board of the Saarland Sister Association, Thomas Dane, and the director of Endinger institution, Ulrike Huber. The laboratory examination of stool samples taken at the beginning of August showed, however, that Salmonella was the cause of the complaints. Six samples in Endingen and one in Rheinhausen have been tested positive for salmonella, according to the "BZ". The competent office for food hygiene and the health department had been switched on.
Salmonella can easily multiply when it breaks the cold chain in certain foods. (Image: fotoliaxrender / fotolia.com) Food suspected as a source of infection
In view of the large number of infections in several different living areas, the focus in the search for the source of infection is currently on the canteen kitchen of the house Katharina. "We are definitely going from food-related illnesses," quoted the "BZ" the head of the health department of the district Emmendingen, Armin Dietz. Presumably, the pathogens were taken on 28 or 29 July, because the incubation period is 24 to 36 hours, so Dietz. It also suggests that the infection was due to dinner, as there was no disease on the recipients of lunch delivered on wheels, adds Thomas Dane. So-called reserve samples, which were kept by the used food, were examined by the institute Fresenius as well as the products of a local supplier and a wholesaler, reports the head of the nursing home Ulrike Huber opposite the "BZ". But all the samples tested so far had no salmonella. A further control of the samples by the State Health Office will be completed next week.
Risk of Salmonella infections can not be completely ruled out
The possibility of Salmonella transmission by employees was also considered and a corresponding investigation of the staff was initiated. The results for the 15 kitchen employees are expected to be available next week. The State Health Office in Stuttgart is involved, said the head of the health department in the district of Emmendingen. Thomas Dane expressly expressed his regret towards the "BZ" about the infections that occurred in the Katharina house. These are the first Salmonella infection in the nursing home, but unfortunately the risk can not be completely ruled out. Because at high temperatures like in the past few weeks, Salmonella in sensitive foods can multiply rapidly as soon as the cold chain is interrupted, explains Dane. Since no new infection has occurred since August 4, it can be assumed, however, that the focus of infection is no longer active.
On the part of the Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Social Affairs, according to the news agency "dpa" meanwhile criticism of the previous approach of home inspection loud. In particular, the missing detailed report on the case in the district of Emmendingen cause upset. This does not correspond to the prescribed procedure, so the criticism of the Ministry. According to the "dpa", the report must answer questions about the cause of the infection and the current status of the investigation.
Imminent life-threatening complications
The rod-shaped bacteria of the genus Samonella can be found in many foods. Especially dangerous are raw eggs, raw fish and raw meat. If a temperature of seven degrees Celsius is exceeded during storage, the bacteria can spread more extensively and be transmitted to humans if the food is not heated sufficiently. Here they possibly cause a so-called salmonellosis, which, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is characterized mainly by sudden onset of abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, nausea and possibly vomiting. Even fever is often part of the symptoms. Immune-compromised persons - like many residents of nursing homes - are increasingly endangered by the infection. As a result of the disease, they often develop dehydration (internal dehydration) and in the worst case the "initial intestinal inflammation takes a septic course," according to the RKI. Dislocations of the pathogens could theoretically affect any organ. Among other things, here are pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, the pericardium and the inner lining possible life-threatening complications of which, according to RKI "primarily elderly and immunosuppressed persons" are affected. (Fp)