Description of the situation
10 July 2000
Disease Outbreak Reported
On 10 July, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported a total of 13 809 cases of food poisoning in 8 western states. Of 180 cases requiring hospitalization, 17 were still in hospital.
The source of the outbreak was found to be 3 different kinds of milk which had been contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus in a production-line valve, at a major dairy-products processing plant in Osaka. Those affected suffered diarrhoea and vomiting due to Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin after drinking low-fat milk.
The local authorities have ordered the company to recall all products which might have been contaminated.