title: [Norovirus outbreak in Majorca (Spain) associated with oyster consumption].
abstract: We describe investigation into an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis associated with oyster consumption. A survey was conducted in 346 exposed persons, 266 of whom were cases. Only 14 feces samples from patients were sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory. Oysters collected at the production site were sent to the National Food Center. The oysters met the microbiological quality standard required before sale, which did not include virus investigation. Epidemiological analysis showed an association between gastroenteritis and consumption of oysters (OR = 60.4; 95% CI: 26.2-139.3) and razor shells (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 1.4-6.9). Microbiological analysis confirmed norovirus in affected individuals but not in the oysters that had been tested after a longer purification period than those consumed. Food with a special risk of norovirus transmission should be strictly monitored. Investigators should dispose of the necessary laboratory resources to study food-borne norovirus outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: Servei d'Epidemiologia, Direcció General de Salut Pública i Participació, Govern de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears. agalmes@dgsanita.caib.es
authors.forename: Antònia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galmés Truyols
authors.forename: Jaume Giménez
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.forename: Antonio Nicolau
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Riutort
authors.forename: Gabriel Arbona
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Cerdá
authors.forename: Catalina Bosch
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Isabel
authors.forename: Margarita Portell
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Arbona
authors.forename: Joana Vanrell
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Berga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029322:Norovirus; D010125:Ostreidae; D012758:Shellfish; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology