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Epidemiology of Foodborne Norovirus Outbreaks, United States, 2001–2008
Aron J. Hall, Valerie G. Eisenbart, Amy Lehman Etingüe and 3 more
Emerging Infectious Diseases · 2012
Abstract
Noroviruses are the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. To better guide interventions, we analyzed 2,922 foodborne disease outbreaks for which norovirus was the suspected or confirmed cause, which had been reported to the Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during 2001-2008. On average, 365 foodborne norovirus outbreaks were reported annually, resulting in an estimated 10,324 illnesses, 1,247 health care provider visits, 156 hospitalizations, and 1 death. In 364 outbreaks attributed to a single commodity, leafy vegetables (33%), fruits/nuts (16%), and mollusks (13%) were implicated most commonly. Infected food handlers were the source of 53% of outbreaks and may have contributed to 82% of outbreaks. Most foods were likely contaminated during preparation and service, except for mollusks, and occasionally, produce was contaminated during production and processing. Interventions to reduce the frequency of foodborne norovirus outbreaks should focus on food workers and production of produce and shellfish.
Full text
From PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, as current on Oct 23, 2026. Paragraph numbers are ours, so an answer can point at one.
Medscape CME Activity
Medscape, LLC is pleased to provide online continuing medical education (CME) for this journal article, allowing clinicians the opportunity to earn CME credit.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Medscape, LLC is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Medscape, LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
All other clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CME activity: (1) review the learning objectives and author disclosures; (2) study the education content; (3) take the post-test with a 70% minimum passing score and complete the evaluation at www.medscape.org/journal/eid; (4) view/print certificate.
Release date: September 17, 2012; Expiration date: September 17, 2013
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
Describe general characteristics and outcomes of US norovirus outbreaks, based on an analysis of data reported during 2001-2008 to the CDC Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System
Describe sources of US norovirus outbreaks, based on an analysis of data reported during 2001-2008 to the CDC Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System
Describe recommended interventions to reduce the frequency and effects of foodborne norovirus outbreaks, based on an analysis of data reported during 2001-2008 to the CDC Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System
CME Editor
Carol E. Snarey, MA, Technical Writer/Editor, Emerging Infectious Diseases. Disclosure: Carol E. Snarey, MA, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
CME Author
Laurie Barclay, MD, freelance writer and reviewer, Medscape, LLC. Disclosure: Laurie Barclay, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Authors
Disclosures: Aron J. Hall, DVM, MSPH; Valerie G. Eisenbart, DVM; Amy Lehman Etingüe, DVM; L. Hannah Gould, PhD; Ben A. Lopman, PhD; and Umesh D. Parashar, MBBS, have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Cited by papers we hold 2
- Broad Blockade Antibody Responses in Human Volunteers after Immunization with a Multivalent Norovirus VLP Candidate Vaccine: Immunological Analyses from a Phase I Clinical Trial · 2015No notice
- Attribution of Foodborne Illnesses, Hospitalizations, and Deaths to Food Commodities by using Outbreak Data, United States, 1998–2008 · 2013No notice
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