Investigating a Foodborne Outbreak at A Nationwide School Event in Northeast Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v9i4.862Keywords:
Foodborne outbreak, Bacillus cereus, Kelantan, MalaysiaAbstract
Background: Investigating complex food and waterborne outbreaks poses challenges due to diverse pathogens and symptoms. Objectives: This study focused on a foodborne outbreak during a nationallevel event in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, which aimed to describe the outbreak, identify risk factors, locate the source, and detail control measures. Methods: Active and passive methods, interviews, record reviews, lab tests, and environmental assessments were used. A case-control study defined cases as individuals experiencing abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. They were compared with a 1:2 asymptomatic control group. Demographic and food history data were collected through an online form distributed to related health district offices, involving 81 boarding schools across the country and international counterparts from Indonesia, Thailand, and China. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 365 and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) application. Results: Among 941 exposed individuals, 126 cases (attack rate:13.8%) occurred. Common symptoms included abdominal pain(84%), nausea(51%), diarrhoea(44%), dizziness(44%), and vomiting(44%). The epidemiological curve indicated a point source pattern, with a 1-to-20-hour incubation period. Causative foods were white rice (OR:8.2, 95% CI:3.66,18.37) and chicken with paprika sauce (OR:8.5, 95% CI:3.80,19.03), both statistically significant (p<0.001). HACCP analysis identified food handling issues, with Bacillus cereus isolated from food handlers. To mitigate the situation, premises were temporarily closed, and a health education program was conducted. Conclusion: This study underscored the significance of digital tools and food safety protocols in tracing foodborne outbreak origins. These are crucial for safeguarding public health and averting future incidents.
International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 09 No. 04 Oct’25 Page: 207-211
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmad Zulfahmi Bin Sha’Ari, Mohd Khairul Ashraf bin Khalid, Ahmad Zulfahmi Bin Mohd Kamaruzaman, Wan Soliha Binti Wan Mohd Hanafi, Sharina Binti Dir
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in the International Journal of Human and Health Sciences agree to the following terms that:
- Authors retain copyright and grant International Journal of Human and Health Sciences the right of first publication of the work.
Articles in International Journal of Human and Health Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License CC BY-4.0.This license permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as greater citation of published work.
