A Waterborne Gastroenteritis Outbreak Caused by a GII Norovirus in a Holiday Camp in Catalonia (Spain), 2017

Overview

Journal Viruses

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2021 Sep 28

PMID 34578373

Citations 5

Authors

Monica Carol

Victor Guadalupe-Fernandez

Cristina Rius

Nuria Soldevila

Efren Razquin

Susana Guix

Angela Dominguez

The Working Group For The Study Of Outbreaks Of Acute Gastroenteritis In Catalonia

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

On 2 February 2017, Epidemiological Surveillance Services were notified of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among schoolchildren who had taken part of a school trip from 30 January to 3 February 2017 at a holiday camp in Catalonia. A retrospective cohort study was performed to identify the causative agent, estimate the magnitude of the outbreak and identify its source, as well as to determine the route of transmission. Data collected by standardised questionnaires identified 41 episodes of AGE among 174 individuals who attended the camp. Cases had mainly symptoms of abdominal pain (73.8%), nausea (64.3%), vomiting (54.8%), diarrhoea (45.2%) and headache (42.9%). Consumption of water was associated with gastroenteritis (crude RR: 1.72, 95%CI: 1.01-2.92; adjusted RR: 1.88, 95%CI 1.03-3.56). NoV GII was detected in faeces (5 out of 13) and water samples. Additionally, faecal indicator bacteria and protozoa were detected in water samples. The outbreak showed a high attack rate and was caused by a natural water fountain not properly treated and not monitored for safety quality. There could have been a discharge of wastewater at a point close to the fountain; however, the source of contamination of the water could not be identified. Health education may be useful to eliminate risks associated with the consumption of untreated water from natural fountains.

Citing Articles

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Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis Due to Norovirus in Schools and Summer Camps in Catalonia, 2017-2019.

Parron I, Barrabeig I, Soldevila N, Bartolome R, Guix S, Rius C Microbiol Spectr. 2022; 10(3):e0011922.

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