Norovirus and foodborne disease, United States, 1991-2000

Marc-Alain Widdowson, Alana Sulka, Sandra N Bulens, R Suzanne Beard, Sandra S Chaves, Roberta Hammond, Ellen D P Salehi, Ellen Swanson, Jessica Totaro, Ray Woron, Paul S Mead, Joseph S Bresee, Stephan S Monroe, Roger I Glass

Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

Abstract

Efforts to prevent foodborne illness target bacterial pathogens, yet noroviruses (NoV) are suspected to be the most common cause of gastroenteritis. New molecular assays allow for better estimation of the role of NoV in foodborne illness. We analyzed 8,271 foodborne outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1991 to 2000 and additional data from 6 states. The proportion of NoV-confirmed outbreaks increased from 1% in 1991 to 12% in 2000. However, from 1998 to 2000, 76% of NoV outbreaks were reported by only 11 states. In 2000, an estimated 50% of foodborne outbreaks in 6 states were attributable to NoV. NoV outbreaks were larger than bacterial outbreaks (median persons affected: 25 versus 15), and 10% of affected persons sought medical care; 1% were hospitalized. More widespread use of molecular assays will permit better estimates of the role of NoV illness and help direct efforts to control foodborne illness.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
Volume11
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)95-102
Number of pages8
ISSN1080-6040
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Caliciviridae Infections/epidemiology
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S./statistics & numerical data
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Food Contamination
  • Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology
  • Gastroenteritis/epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Norovirus/isolation & purification
  • United States/epidemiology

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