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A Gastroenteritis Outbreak Caused by Noroviruses in Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Apostolos Vantarakis

    (Environmental Microbiology Unit, Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26500, Greece)

  • Kassiani Μellou

    (Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens 15123, Greece)

  • Georgia Spala

    (Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens 15123, Greece)

  • Petros Kokkinos

    (Environmental Microbiology Unit, Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26500, Greece)

  • Yiannis Alamanos

    (Environmental Microbiology Unit, Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26500, Greece)

Abstract

In June 2006, an outbreak alert regarding cases of acute gastroenteritis in a region in North Eastern Greece (population 100,882 inhabitants), triggered investigations to guide control measures. The outbreak started the first days of June, and peaked in July. A descriptive epidemiological study, a virological characterization of the viral agent identified from cases as well as a phylogenetic analysis was performed. From June 5 to September 3, 2006 (weeks 23–44), 1,640 cases of gastroenteritis (45.2% male and 54.8% female, aged 3 months to 89 years) were reported. The overall attack rate for the period was 16.3 cases/1,000 inhabitants. About 57% of cases observed were under the age of 15 years. Αnalysis of faecal samples identified Norovirus GII strains. Fifteen different Norovirus GII strains were recorded, presenting a homology of 94.8% (86–97%) to GII strains obtained from GenBank. The long duration of the outbreak suggests an important role of person-to-person transmission, while the emergence of the outbreak was possibly due to contaminated potable water, although no viruses were detected in any tested water samples. This outbreak underscores the need for a national surveillance system for acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks.

Suggested Citation

  • Apostolos Vantarakis & Kassiani Μellou & Georgia Spala & Petros Kokkinos & Yiannis Alamanos, 2011. "A Gastroenteritis Outbreak Caused by Noroviruses in Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:8:y:2011:i:8:p:3468-3478:d:13650
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kaplan, J.E. & Feldman, R. & Campbell, D.S. & Lookabaugh, C. & Gary, G.W., 1982. "The frequency of a Norwalk-like pattern of illness in outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 72(12), pages 1329-1332.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ari Kauppinen & Tarja Pitkänen & Haider Al-Hello & Leena Maunula & Anna-Maria Hokajärvi & Ruska Rimhanen-Finne & Ilkka T. Miettinen, 2019. "Two Drinking Water Outbreaks Caused by Wastewater Intrusion Including Sapovirus in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Maria Mavrouli & Spyridon Mavroulis & Efthymios Lekkas & Athanassios Tsakris, 2022. "Infectious Diseases Associated with Hydrometeorological Hazards in Europe: Disaster Risk Reduction in the Context of the Climate Crisis and the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-25, August.

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