Abstract

PEREIRA-VICTORIO, César Johan et al. Foodborne outbreak of norovirus: epidemiologycal study and Health measures implemented to prevent recurrence. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2016, vol.9, n.1, pp.8-15. ISSN 2386-8201.

Objective: Because Foodborne diseases (FBD) cause health damage, financial losses, and require direct intervention at the source of contamination, our aim was to carry out a clinical, epidemiological, and hygienic study of an outbreak of FBD, without the possibility of conducting a microbiological analysis. Design: A descriptive and case-control study. Location: Community of Munera, Albacete (Spain). Participants: Population composed of the attendees to three first communion celebrations. Main measurements: An epidemiological telephone survey was made, and crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated with confidence intervals of 95%. A multivariate logistic regression model, and restaurant health inspection were also performed. Results: 204 people exposed, 62 respondents (32 affected and 30 healthy); global infection rate: 51.6%, and incubation period: 33 hours; main symptoms: abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea; duration of disease: 38 hours. Statistical analysis showed associations with the consumption of three foodstuff. "Salad" crude OR 7.5 IC95(1.48-37.91), "Cuttlefish" crude OR 4.15 IC95(1.00-17.18) and "Seafood" crude OR 4.57 IC95(0.87-24.08). The adjusted-OR for the "Salad" is 5.41 IC95(1.00-29.23). The health inspection found the existence of deficiencies in structure, cleaning, disinfection and food handling training. Conclusions: The Salad was the only food statistically associated with the infection, but Cuttlefish and Seafood cannot be ruled out. Through sanitary inspection and Kaplan's criteria, this can be classified as a Norovirus infection. Special performance measures were applied in the restaurant to prevent recurrence of the outbreak.

Keywords : Foodborne diseases; Norovirus; Epidemiology.

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