Christine L. Case, Ed.D.
Biology Professor
Skyline College

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Medical Detective Problem #2

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The problem: An outbreak of food poisoning occurred, affecting half the students who ate in the school cafeteria on a Wednesday. Lunch was served at 12:30 p.m. An investigation was started to determine the cause. Use the data table to answer the following questions:

  1. Which food transmitted the illness?
  2. How could this disease be prevented?
  3. Extra credit: What is the disease?

Symptoms experienced by children included:

D = Diarrhea V = Vomiting
N = Nausea C = Abdominal cramps

All fresh food items were delivered to the cooking area the morning of May 22. The menu consisted of

H = Hamburger. Hamburgers were purchased from a fast-food restaurant. The meat was cooked to 160°F. Sandwiches consisted of meat, bread, catsup, and mustard.

L = Lettuce. Lettuce, served raw, was purchased from a farmer's market..

S = Sprouts. Alfalfa sprouts, served raw, were purchased from a farmer's market.

D = Dressing. Salad dressing was a commerical product purchased from a supermarket.

 

Give me a hint.

I'm ready for the answer.

Person Foods eaten Symptoms Onset of symptoms
1 HLSD DVNC 2400 Wed
2 HLD    
3 HLSD NC 0200 Thurs
4 HLSD DNC  
5 HLD    
6 HD    
7 HLD    
8 H    
9 HLSD DVNC 1100 Thurs
10 H    
11 H    
12 HLSD DNC 1400 Thurs
13 H    
14 HLD    
15 HSD DNC 2400 Thurs
16 H    
17 HL    
18 LS N 1300 Wed
19 LS DVNC 1700 Thurs
20 H    
21 LSD DNC 0200 Thurs
22 LSD C 0800 Fri
23 HL    
24 HLSD DC 1500 Thurs
25 HLS VNC 0100 Thurs
26 HLD    
27 HD    
28 HLSD DC 0200 Thurs
29 HL    
30 H    
31 HD    
32 HLSD DC 1200 Thurs