ABSTRACT
In the period of 1981-1986, eighteen outbreaks of food poisoning following ingestion of insecticide contaminated food were reported to the Division of Epidemiology, Ministry of Public Health. There were 678 individuals experiencing illness, of which 9 cases died. Out of 18 outbreaks, 16 involving 615 cases resulted from carbamate (Methomyl and Propoxur) intoxications. The remaining two outbreaks were caused by organophosphate (Coumaphos) and organochlorine (DDT). The case fatality rate was much higher with Coumaphos than Methomyl; and no death was reported among Propoxur and DDT victims. Desserts and beverages were found to be the main vehicles, and private home was the most common place for the outbreaks of food poisoning caused by ingestion of insecticide contaminated food.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology , Food Contamination , Foodborne Diseases/etiology , Humans , Insecticides/poisoning , ThailandABSTRACT
A fatal case of encephalitis due to Semple (phenolized sheep-brain) anti-rabies vaccine prompted a search for neurological complications among 722 recipients of 2 vaccine batches administered in Bangkok, Thailand in June and July 1984. A review of all patients admitted with neurological symptoms from June through August 1984 to the 5 major teaching hospitals in Bangkok found 6 cases (0.83%), including the index case, who had received the vaccine. Rabies infection was ruled out in all 6 cases. 4 patients had meningitis, and 2 had meningo-encephalitis. Only the index case was fatal; the other patients recovered without neurological sequelae. The rate of neurological complications after receiving Semple vaccine was therefore a minimum of 8.31 cases per 1000 persons vaccinated (1:120). This complication rate was about 25 times higher than the overall complication rate of 0.33 per 1000 (1:3018) determined from 14 previous reports. The fatality rate was 1.39 per 1000 (1:722), about 15 times higher than the rate of 0.09 per 1000 (1:10805) calculated from the previous studies. It is urgent to find economically feasible alternatives to Semple vaccine.
