Salmonella enterocolitis: report of a large foodborne outbreak in Trujillo, Peru.

On 5 May 1977 food contaminated with Salmonella thompson (Group Cl) hosfiitalized 545 university students in Trujillo, Peru. Prom@ investigation pinpointed the responsible organism, the most likely source of contamination, and a number of poor food-handling practices that may have contributed to the event. The report of the investigation, presented here, provides a meful illustration of international epidemiologic cooperation and points out a number of measures that can help prevent foodborne disease outbreaks of this kind.