A Gastroenteritis Outbreak Caused by Noroviruses in Greece

Abstract

In June 2006, an outbreak alert regarding cases of acute gastroenteritis in a region in North Eastern Greece (population 100,882 inhabitants), triggered investigations to guide control measures. The outbreak started the first days of June, and peaked in July. A descriptive epidemiological study, a virological characterization of the viral agent identified from cases as well as a phylogenetic analysis was performed. From June 5 to September 3, 2006 (weeks 23–44), 1,640 cases of gastroenteritis (45.2% male and 54.8% female, aged 3 months to 89 years) were reported. The overall attack rate for the period was 16.3 cases/1,000 inhabitants. About 57% of cases observed were under the age of 15 years. nalysis of faecal samples identified Norovirus GII strains. Fifteen different Norovirus GII strains were recorded, presenting a homology of 94.8% (86–97%) to GII strains obtained from GenBank. The long duration of the outbreak suggests an important role of person-to-person transmission, while the emergence of the outbreak was possibly due to contaminated potable water, although no viruses were detected in any tested water samples. This outbreak underscores the need for a national surveillance system for acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks.

Virucidal efficacy of treatment with photodynamically activated curcumin on murine norovirus bio-accumulated in oysters

“…Norovirus (NoV), belongs to the family Caliciviridae, and causes the majority of human acute gastroenteritis outbreaks and sporadic cases worldwide [1,2]. Human NoV is transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route, with infected food handlers thought to be the major source of food-borne NoV transmission [3].…”

Effect of Grape Seed Extract on Human Norovirus GII.4 and Murine Norovirus 1 in Viral Suspensions, on Stainless Steel Discs, and in Lettuce Wash Water

“…Noroviruses (NoVs), belonging to the family Caliciviridae, cause a majority of the outbreaks and sporadic cases of human acute gastroenteritis worldwide (15,35). In 2011, it was estimated that 58% of the 9.4 million episodes of food-borne illnesses in the United States each year were caused by NoVs (24).…”

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“…On the other hand, the season for outbreaks of NoV infection was winter in adults, while in children the outbreaks were reported throughout the year 4,5,25,26 . The occasional amplification of viral activity in the population is explained by the emergence of new viral genotype 27 .…”

“…It is known that 90% of viral gastroenteritis and about 60-85% of all outbreaks of gastroenteritis especially in the territory of the United States of America (USA), Europe and Japan is caused by this virus 3,4 . For the countries of the northern hemisphere, individual cases and outbreaks of acute NoV gastroenteritis appear in a seasonal pattern, mainly during the winter months [4][5][6] . Outbreaks usually occur in closed collectives such as hotels, hospitals 7 , homes for the elderly 8 , kindergartens, schools and cruise ships 4 .…”

“…For the countries of the northern hemisphere, individual cases and outbreaks of acute NoV gastroenteritis appear in a seasonal pattern, mainly during the winter months [4][5][6] . Outbreaks usually occur in closed collectives such as hotels, hospitals 7 , homes for the elderly 8 , kindergartens, schools and cruise ships 4 .…”