Clostridium perfringens bacteria are a common cause of food poisoning. C. perfringens makes spores, which have protective coatings. After a person eats food contaminated with the C. perfringens, the bacteria can make a toxin (poison) that causes diarrhoea.
If NIAS staff are aware that the patient has a suspected or confirmed case this should be communicated to the Control Room (Emergency or Non-emergency as appropriate) and the staff in the receiving unit when transferring the patient to ensure effective patient care and management.
When you eat food contaminated with the bacteria, they release toxins into your gastrointestinal tract (intestines). The toxins cause inflammation (enteritis), leading to diarrhea and cramping.
There is no evidence of person to person transmission.
Most people with C. perfringens food poisoning have diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
Symptoms C. perfringens food poisoning can start suddenly. This usually happens within 6 to 24 hours after eating contaminated food. Symptoms usually last about 1 day.