General outbreaks of infectious intestinal diseases linked with private residences in England and Wales, 1992-9: questionnaire study

General outbreaks in the home accounted for 5% of outbreaks reported. Food was the predominant transmitter (85%), with person-to-person and waterborne transmission accounting for 6% and 1% respectively. Foodborne transmission was linked to social functions, e.g. barbecues and dinner parties more frequently than other modes of transmission. Salmonella was the most frequently reported pathogen. The most common faults in food hygiene were inappropriate storage, inadequate cooking, and cross contamination (39%, 31% and 20% respectively). Inappropriate storage was more commonly reported as a food hygiene fault in homes than in other premises. BMJ 2001;323:1097-8.