title: Aetiology and epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Catalonia (Spain) in 2004-2005.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute infectious gastroenteritis causes substantial morbidity and economic loss.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aetiology, epidemiology, and clinical features of acute viral gastroenteritis outbreaks reported during 1 year in Catalonia were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a population-based study in which enzyme immunoassay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques were used to determine the presence of virus in stool specimens from outbreaks clinically and epidemiologically compatible with a viral aetiology and negative for bacteria, parasites and toxins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty outbreaks affecting 1791 people were evaluated. Fifty-five outbreaks were positive for norovirus, four were positive for norovirus and other microorganisms (adenovirus, astrovirus, S. Typhimurium and V. parahaemolyticus in one each). Thirty-seven percentage of the outbreaks occurred in collective catering; 18.3% in nursing homes; 10% in hospitals and long-term-care facilities. Foodborne transmission accounted for 50% of outbreaks. Norovirus genotype GGII.4 accounted for 42% of all the outbreaks, being more prevalent in nursing homes, hospital and long-term-care facilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The large number of norovirus outbreaks and resulting health service demand and absenteeism indicate that acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus is an important health problem in Catalonia. Preventive measures should target education and control of food handlers, and immediate specific control measures should be adopted in institutions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Barcelona, and L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. angela.dominguez@ub.edu
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Torner
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruíz
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barrabeig
authors.forename: Neus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Camps
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minguell
authors.forename: Ignasi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Parrón
authors.forename: Analía
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pumarés
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bartolomé
authors.forename: Unai
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Simón
authors.forename: Rebeca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montava
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buesa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029322:Norovirus; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology