An outbreak of streptococcal infection in a chicken factory.

A large outbreak of streptococcal skin infection occurred late in the summer of 1978 in a factory which undertakes the slaughter, preparation and packing of chickens. In all, 103 episodes of infection occurred in 82 workers from a total factory establishment of 347. The highest incidence of infection was in the packing department where there was an attack rate of 44%. The routes of introduction of infection into and spread within the factory remain mostly unknown. Following the identification of cases and carriers and the institution of appropriate treatment and control measures the outbreak quickly declined. The responsible organism in the outbreak was Streptococcus pyogenes T-type 3/13/B3264, provisional M-type 'R78/55'. This is the first poultry factory outbreak in England to be reported.