Practical lessons from the management of an outbreak of small round structured virus (Norwalk-like virus) gastroenteritis.
An outbreak of viral gastroenteritis caused illness in 92 people during October 2000. All the cases had an association with one hotel and 80% of cases identified had attended one of two buffet meals on 18th October 2000. Cohort analysis did not implicate any particular foodstuff in this outbreak. All bacteriological tests on food samples were negative. Small round structured virus (SRSV)/Norwalk-like virus (NLV) particles were seen by electron microscopy in 6 out of 27 stool samples submitted for analysis. This paper describes the outbreak and in particular the lessons learned from the management and control of it. These include practical points with regard to the outbreak control team, liaison with the microbiology laboratory, handling data, agreeing a case definition, and occupational health issues. All can be applied elsewhere by those responsible for managing outbreaks at a local level.
Lachlan
M
M
Licence
K
K
Oates
K
K
Vaughan
S
S
Hill
R
R
D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005511:Food Handling; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D029322:Norovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012147:Restaurants; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology