Legionella pneumophila infection in Taiwan: a preliminary report.

Legionella pneumophila infection has been recognized as an important cause of pneumonia. However, epidemiologic baseline data about the occurrence of legionella-related pneumonia and the distribution of legionellae in aquatic environments are still not available in Taiwan. A survey conducted by the National Institute of Preventive Medicine found that 8.6% of 487 pneumonia patients studied were positive for the L. pneumophila serologic test (indirect fluorescent test, IFA) and 32.0% of the 25 water samples were positive for isolation of legionellae. In conclusion, this survey supported the existence of Legionnaires' disease in Taiwan, indicated a preliminary prevalence of L. pneumophila antibodies among pneumonia patients and identified the prevalence of legionellae in water environments.

Food-borne disease outbreaks in Taiwan, 1994.

In 1994, 102 outbreaks of food-borne disease involving 4,726 cases were reported to the Taiwan Department of Health. This is the highest number of outbreaks and cases in recent years in Taiwan. Of these outbreaks, 72.5% (74/102) were caused by bacterial pathogens, with Vibrio parahaemolyticus responsible for 56.7% (42/74), Staphylococcus aureus 20.3% (15/74), Bacillus cereus 14.9% (11/74) and Salmonella spp other than S. typhi and S. paratyphi 8.1% (6/74). V. parahaemolyticus has been a leading cause of problems in Taiwan for many years. Contamination of seafood with this organism has been reported frequently, particularly in the warmer months. In 1994, small outbreaks (fewer than 5 cases) and large outbreaks (more than 50 cases) represented 31.4% (32/102) and 12.7% (13/102), respectively, of the total. The median outbreak size was 10 cases. A high proportion (54%, 7/13) of the large outbreaks was associated with commercial lunch-boxes supplied to elementary and junior high schools. Health education to improve food sanitation and supervision of food sanitation practices need to be strengthened.