Guelph Food Safety Seminar (GFSS) Seminar - Anatomy of an Investigation: International Women’s Day Luncheon Enteric Outbreak

Date and Time:

Thursday, June 29, 2023

11:00 AM -12:00 PM EST  

Title:  

Anatomy of an Investigation: International Women’s Day Luncheon Enteric Outbreak 

Abstract:

Eighty-Eight attendees at an International Women’s Day event held on March 8th at the Best Western Plus Orangeville Inn & Suites, reported gastrointestinal illness with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and nausea. Implicated food had been prepared and served on-site by an outside caterer. The investigation which included the collection of numerous food and stool samples, epidemiological analysis, and on-site assessments, implicated toxins produced by B. cereus bacteria in quinoa and sweet potato served at the event. The response to this outbreak was swift and followed proven outbreak response methods. This presentation will provide an overview of the outbreak investigation and key insights that can apply to investigation processes and to mass catering operations.   

Speaker: 

Paul Medeiros, Manager, Environmental Health, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health 

Paul is an experienced leader with an established track record of blending technical knowledge, industry experience, leadership skills and a community service-mindset to protect and promote public health. As Manager of Environmental Health with the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit, Paul leads a like-minded team of public health professionals with the single-minded purpose to ‘make a difference’ in the communities they serve.