Search
Close
Search
Advanced Search
Search Menu

Extract

Although generally self-limited, infectious gastroenteritis can be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Elderly persons are at particularly high risk of adverse outcomes. There are currently >1.4 million people living in nursing homes in the United States [1], including almost 14% of the population aged >84 years. Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in the United States are 4 times more likely to die from gastroenteritis than community dwellers [2] and account for 17.5% of deaths due to diarrheal disease [3]. The article by Kirk et al [4] in this issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases describes gastroenteritis outbreaks in LTCFs in Australia, with important lessons for other countries as well.

This Australian study used data from a register of foodborne disease outbreaks in sentinel surveillance sites, which was expanded in 2002 to include gastroenteritis outbreaks due to any mode of transmission. Unfortunately, it is only in the past year that such a comprehensive surveillance system has been instituted in the United States; thus, it will be some time before reliable national data are available here. Studies in the United States and other countries, however, suggest that the findings in Australia are generalizable enough to help guide preventive interventions elsewhere [5–8].

Issue Section:
Articles and Commentaries > Editorial Commentaries
You do not currently have access to this article.
Download all slides

Comments

0 Comments
Comments (0)
Submit a comment
You have entered an invalid code
Thank you for submitting a comment on this article. Your comment will be reviewed and published at the journal's discretion. Please check for further notifications by email.