Widespread environmental contamination with Norwalk-like viruses (NLV) detected in a prolonged hotel outbreak of gastroenteritis

Abstract

A protracted outbreak of Norwalk-like virus (NLV)-associated gastroenteritis occurred in a large hotel in North-West England between January and May 1996. We investigated the pattern of environmental contamination with NLV in the hotel during and after the outbreak. In the ninth week, 144 environmental swabs taken from around the hotel were tested for NLV by nested RT-PCR. The sites were categorized according to the likelihood of direct contamination with vomit/faeces. The highest proportion of positive samples were detected in directly contaminated carpets, but amplicons were detected in sites above 1.5 m which are unlikely to have been contaminated directly. The trend in positivity of different sites paralleled the diminishing likelihood of direct contamination. A second environmental investigation of the same sites 5 months after the outbreak had finished were all negative by RT-PCR. This study demonstrates for the first time the extent of environmental contamination that may occur during a large NLV outbreak.

Environmental Monitoring for Gastroenteric Viruses in a Pediatric Primary Immunodeficiency Unit

“…degradation; however, this does not prove it is infectious, only that it is likely to be infectious (6,16). Overall, NoV RNA was detected in 18% of swabs, RV RNA in 14%, and AsV RNA in 4%, with 36% of swabs positive for one or more gastroenteric viruses.…”

“…However, other transmission routes have been implicated and include environmental routes (6,16), which in hospitals can include work surfaces, floors, medical equipment, light switches, taps, door handles, and television/game consoles. Several groups have monitored environmental contamination by viruses in various settings, including pediatric units (29), hospitals (5,16), day care facilities (4), and hotels (6).…”

Different Virucidal Activities of Hyperbranched Quaternary Ammonium Coatings on Poliovirus and Influenza Virus

“…The IQACs tested were virucidal against the influenza virus within 2 min, but no virucidal effect against poliovirus was found in 6 h. E nteric and respiratory viruses can be transmitted directly from person to person but also indirectly via contaminated surfaces (1,3,4). Key factors in successful transmission are the quantity of infectious virus particles shed, the minimal infectious dose, the stability in the environment, and the resistance to disinfection (2).…”

Emergence of a New Norovirus Genotype II.4 Variant Associated with Global Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis

“…Transmission occurs predominantly through ingestion of contaminated water; food (particularly oysters); and person to person by the fecal-oral route, airborne transmission, and contact with contaminated surfaces (14,21,30,37,42). The ease with which NoV is transmitted and the low infectious dose required to establish an infection results in extensive outbreaks in numerous environments, including hospitals, hotels, schools, nursing homes, and cruise ships (5,33,34,53).…”