Epidemic gastroenteritis in Newfoundland during 1963 associated with E. coli 0111:4.

An epidemic of infantile gastroenteritis occurred in Newfoundland in the year 1963. Cases and deaths were reported from communities in widely separated geographic areas. A total of 1071 cases was reported and there were 100 deaths. The death rate was estimated at 600 per 100,000 live births and exceeded the highest rate noted during any of the preceding 15 years.During 1963 the Newfoundland Public Health Laboratories recorded a high incidence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolations. Over 500 isolations were obtained, of which 76% were E. coli 0111:B4, indicating that this organism was the main offender. The majority of E. coli 0111:B4 isolates were resistant in vitro to chloramphenicol and neomycin.Important among efforts to control this widespread community outbreak was an educational program which made extensive use of television and radio.