Prolonged outbreak of Norwalk gastroenteritis in an isolated guest house
Oliver, B.; Ng, S.; Marshall, J.; Greenberg, H.; Gust, I.D.; Cresswell, V.; Ward, B.; Kennett, M.; Birch, C.
Medical Journal of Australia 142(7): 391-395
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 2984524 Document Number: 243222
This is a fascinating account of an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a guesthouse in an isolated region of Victoria, Australia. The outbreak began in early November 1982 and did not cease until mid-December when there was also a reduction in numbers of guests. The symptoms were characteristic of Norwalk gastroenteritis with explosive vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. All ages were affected. It is estimated from questionnaires that at least 26% were infected, i.e. 350 of the 1400 people at risk. The source of the outbreak was not established; the sewage and water systems were cleared of suspicion. A remarkable feature was that 3 investigators who stayed at the guesthouse at the height of the outbreak, despite rigorous precautions, including bringing their own food, water and utensils, were infected. Aerosol infection may be a route with a highly infectious agent in a non-immune population. Norwalk virus was visualized in 5 of 23 sufferers examined; also Norwalk virus antibody rises were found in 5 of 7 patients studied, 3 of whom also had virus in their stools.A.J. Beale.