More than 60 people have fallen sick in Costa Rica as part of a Salmonella outbreak connected to a hospital. The the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica has issued an alert.
Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health (MOH) reported an outbreak of Salmonella at Hospital CIMA in Escazú.
In total, 66 cases have been recorded, two have been confirmed by laboratory testing, and two patients have been hospitalized. Lab analysis identified Salmonella in confirmed cases.
Reported symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and general malaise, according to the alert from the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica.
The Ministry of Health is trying to identify any common exposures in those affected and the mode of transmission. Reports describe illness among hospital workers. No specific food has been identified, and the source of contamination has not been confirmed.
The U.S. Embassy advised its personnel to consider alternative locations for medical care until the outbreak has been resolved.
Other advice is to practice consistent hand hygiene with soap and water, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or eating food.
Keep raw and cooked foods separate, cook eggs, poultry, and meat thoroughly, and refrigerate perishable foods promptly. Wash fruits and vegetables before consumption and avoid unpasteurized dairy products. People with gastrointestinal illness should not prepare food for others while symptomatic.
Mexican outbreak
In early September, another Salmonella outbreak occurred at a hospital in Mexico.
Health officials confirmed that 135 people fell sick at the Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga.
The outbreak was linked to food provided by the hospital’s outsourced catering service. Patients experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
In two cases, a coinfection with enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) was also identified.
The hospital suspended the outsourced dining service and opened an investigation to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed.
An epidemiological and health investigation was started to determine the source of contamination and to establish additional prevention and control measures.