Outbreak of SRSV gastroenteritis at an international conference traced to food handled by a post-symptomatic caterer

Abstract

In an outbreak of small round structured virus (SRSV) gastroenteritis at an international AIDS conference 67 people were ill with diarrhoea or vomiting, one requiring admission to hospital. Epidemiological investigations demonstrated that the vehicle of infection was food prepared by a foodhandler who was recovering from a mild gastrointestinal illness. The food most strongly associated with illness, coronation chicken, was prepared by the food handler on the second day after symptoms ceased. The investigation confirms the view that foodhandlers may contaminate food with SRSVs after cessation of symptoms and should remain off work until at least 48 h after recovery.

Outbreak of Norovirus Infection among River Rafters Associated with Packaged Delicatessen Meat, Grand Canyon, 2005

“…In addition, norovirus infection is very prevalent and may be asymptomatic in up to 30% of persons [19], and the viral genome can be detected in stool specimens for up to 3 weeks after symptom resolution [20,21]. Outbreaks have been associated with ill food handlers who returned to work after resolution of symptoms [22,23], even as long as 10 days after recovery [24]. Finally, norovirus is resistant to many of the disinfectants [25,26] that are commonly used in the food industry for inactivation of bacterial contaminants [27].…”

Occurrence of Norovirus Infections in Asymptomatic Food Handlers in South Korea

“…In addition, NoVs have been detected in environmental samples as well as in contaminated foods such as oysters, shellfish, sandwiches, salads, and even ice (2,5). Personal hygiene practices of infected food handlers are considered the most important contributing factor in the spread of food-borne diseases (6,7). Foods may be contaminated by contact with water that is contaminated by animal manure or human sewage or by unhygienic manipulation by a food handler excreting the virus, although this second cause is probably underestimated, because it is difficult to prove (1).…”

A Foodborne Outbreak of Gastroenteritis Associated with Norwalk‐like Viruses: First Molecular Traceback to Deli Sandwiches Contaminated during Preparation

“…NLVs can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, directly from person to person, and occasionally by airborne droplets produced during vomiting [2]. Food handlers are often suspected as the source of foodborne outbreaks, and there have been reports of possible NLV transmission during both pre- [3] and postsymptomatic periods [4].…”