Salmonella senftenberg in the Sunderland area

Salmonella senftenberg was isolated from 168 patients and staff of a general hospital whereas it was isolated from only seven other sources (four of which were unquestionably associated with the hospital) in the surrounding area during the same period. It was isolated in the hospital in 19 of the 48 months of the period. Two clear-cut episodes were recognized against a background of sporadic isolation. Four-fifths of the patients and staff excreting the organism had no symptoms. Only two are known to have been severely ill, though in some patients very ill for other reasons life may have been shortened a little. The original source of the organism, whether from the farm or from raw materials such as meat or poultry, was not found.