Outbreak of Gastroenteritis due to Salmonella virchow in a Maternity Hospital

Abstract

An outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella virchow occurred in a maternity hospital in the Midlands in October–November 1968. Twenty-six babies and six mothers were infected. Fifteen of the babies had diarrhoea and 10 of these were in the special care baby unit The only fatal case was that of an infant with gross congenital malformations. The outbreak followed the admission of a patient to the delivery suite who was subsequently shown to be a symptomless excreter of S. virchow. A major factor in the spread of this organism is thought to have been heavy environmental contamination resulting from diarrhoea due to infection of her newborn baby.