Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T02:35:40.360Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Outbreaks of gastroenteritis due to infections with Norovirus in Switzerland, 2001–2003

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2005

R. FRETZ ,
P. SVOBODA ,
T. M. LÜTHI ,
M. TANNER  and
A. BAUMGARTNER
R. FRETZ
Affiliation:
Cantonal Laboratory Basel-Landschaft, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland Swiss Tropical Institute, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
P. SVOBODA
Affiliation:
Cantonal Laboratory Basel-Landschaft, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
T. M. LÜTHI
Affiliation:
University of Applied Sciences Wädenswil, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
M. TANNER
Affiliation:
Swiss Tropical Institute, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
A. BAUMGARTNER
Affiliation:
Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Viral infections, especially those with noroviruses are the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in Europe. To obtain information about the epidemic situation of noroviruses in Switzerland, an initial study was launched in the German-speaking part of the country to systematically compile Norovirus outbreak information between 2001 and 2003. In total, 73 outbreaks were registered. Most affected were closed settings, e.g. nursing homes (34%) and hospitals (25%). Transmission pathways were identified in 74% of Norovirus outbreaks. In 81% of these cases person-to-person transmission was the primary route of infection and on seven occasions (13%), a foodborne transmission was the possible cause. Furthermore, Norovirus outbreak characteristics of epidemiological importance are highlighted with a discussion of four selected events.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 133 , Issue 3 , June 2005 , pp. 429 - 437
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press