Two successive outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis due to norovirus GII.6 in a holiday camp house

Abstract

AbstractWhen two outbreaks occur in the same institution within a short period of time, an important health and social concern is generated. Two gastroenteritis outbreaks occurring a week apart in the same facility were reported in Lleida, Spain, in 2018. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical, epidemiological and microbiological investigation carried out and to determine the risk factors. Demographic data, food consumption and symptoms were collected. Health inspections of the facility were carried out. Risk ratio and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated for the implication of each food consumed. The attack rate was 89.7% in the first outbreak and 69.6% in the second outbreak. The most frequent symptoms in the first and second outbreak were abdominal pain (88.5% and 100%, respectively), vomiting (80.8% and 87.5%, respectively) and nausea (69.2% and 81.3%, respectively). The first outbreak was associated with the consumption of a salad and the second with a cheese omelet. Norovirus GII.6 was detected by RT-PCR and sequenced in both groups of students and in the food handlers who prepared the meals. These results highlight the importance of exclusion from work of food handlers with gastroenteritis, the adequate availability of mechanisms for correct hand washing and the correct cleaning of surfaces.