An Outbreak of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis following consumption of oysters

Authors

  • Russell Stafford Brisbane Southside Public Health Unit, PO Box 6509, Upper Mt Gravatt Qld 4122.
  • David Strain South Coast Environmental Health Services, Miami, Gold Coast, Southern Public Health Unit Network, Queensland
  • Malcolm Heymer South Coast Environmental Health Services, Miami, Gold Coast, Southern Public Health Unit Network, Queensland
  • Cameron Smith North Coast Public Health Unit, Lismore, New South Wales
  • Marianne Trent North Coast Public Health Unit, Lismore, New South Wales
  • John Beard North Coast Public Health Unit, Lismore, New South Wales

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.1997.21.54

Keywords:

Norwalk virus, oysters, outbreak investigation

Abstract

In August 1996, an outbreak of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis occurred among south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales residents over a four week period. Ninety-two of the 97 cases detected were confirmed as having consumed raw oysters within three days prior to developing the illness. No other food items or beverages were significantly associated with the illness. Environmental investigations indicated the Terranora Broadwater, Tweed Heads as the origin of the contaminated oysters. However, the primary source of Norwalk virus could not be verified. Oysters and other shellfish appear to be a common vehicle for transmission of this virus. This outbreak and the more recent hepatitis A outbreak associated with Wallis Lake oysters, highlight the susceptibility of oysters to environmental contamination and the urgent need for stricter quality control procedures. This report details the epidemiological, microbiological and environmental findings from an outbreak investigation conducted jointly by the Queensland and New South Wales health authorities. Commun Dis Intell 1997;21:317-320.

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References

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Published

30/10/97

How to Cite

Stafford, Russell, David Strain, Malcolm Heymer, Cameron Smith, Marianne Trent, and John Beard. 1997. “An Outbreak of Norwalk Virus Gastroenteritis Following Consumption of Oysters”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 21 (October):317-20. https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.1997.21.54.

Issue

Vol. 21 (1997)

Section

Outbreak report

Categories

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Copyright (c) 1997 Communicable Diseases Intelligence

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