The frequency of a Norwalk-like pattern of illness in outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis

J.E. Kaplan, R. Feldman, D.S. Campbell, C. Lookabaugh and G.W. Gary

American Journal of Public Health, 1982, vol. 72, issue 12, 1329-1332

Abstract: Records of 642 outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis were reviewed to determine the proportion of outbreaks that were clinically and epidemiologically consistent with Norwalk-like virus infection. Using as our criteria stool cultures negative for bacterial pathogens, mean (or median) duration of illness 12-60 hours, vomiting in greater than or equal to 50 per cent of cases, and, if known, mean (or median) incubation period of 24-48 hours, we found that 23 per cent of waterborne outbreaks, 4 per cent of foodborne outbreaks, and 67 per cent, 60 per cent, and 28 per cent of outbreaks in nursing homes, in summer camps, and on cruise ships, respectively, satisfied the criteria for Norwalk-like pattern. Of 54 outbreaks that satisfied the criteria for Norwalk-like pattern, 14 were investigated for virus etiology. Ten of these (71 per cent) yielded serologic evidence of Norwalk-like virus infection. Norwalk-like viruses are probably an important cause of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis. Investigation for Norwalk virus antibody in outbreaks that are clinically and epidemiologically consistent with Norwalk-like virus infection is likely to yield diagnostically useful results.

Date: 1982
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1982:72:12:1329-1332_2

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().