Norovirus outbreak associated with undercooked oysters and secondary household transmission

Imagen de Roberto A Rodriguez
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TítuloNorovirus outbreak associated with undercooked oysters and secondary household transmission
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AutoresAlfano-Sobsey, E, Sweat, D, Hall, A, Breedlove, F, Rodriguez, R, Greene, S, Pierce, A, Sobsey, M, Davies, M, Ledford, SL
JournalEpidemiol InfectEpidemiol Infect
Volume140
Pagination276-82
Date PublishedFeb
ISBN Number1469-4409 (Electronic)0950-2688 (Linking)
Accession Number21524343
AbstractDuring December 2009, over 200 individuals reported gastrointestinal symptoms after dining at a North Carolina restaurant. An outbreak investigation included a case-control study of restaurant patrons, a secondary household transmission study, environmental assessment of the restaurant facilities and operations, and laboratory analysis of stool and food samples. Illness was primarily associated with consumption of steamed oysters (odds ratio 12, 95% confidence interval 4.8-28) and 20% (8/41 households) reported secondary cases, with a secondary attack rate of 14% among the 70 susceptible household contacts. Norovirus RNA was detected in 3/5 stool specimens from ill patrons; sequencing of RT-PCR products from two of these specimens identified identical genogroup II genotype 12 sequences. Final cooked temperatures of the steamed oysters were generally inadequate to inactivate norovirus, ranging from 21 degrees C to 74 degrees C. Undercooked contaminated oysters pose a similar risk for norovirus illness as raw oysters and household contacts are at risk for secondary infection.