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The impact of foodborne calicivirus disease: the Minnesota experience
V C Deneen1, J M Hunt, C R Paule
1Acute Disease Epidemiology Section, Minnesota Department of Health, Minneapolis, MN 55440, USA. valerie.deneen@health.state.mn.us.
Abstract:
The first outbreaks of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis in Minnesota were confirmed in 1982. Since then, Norwalk-like caliciviruses have been recognized to be the most common cause of foodborne disease outbreaks, accounting for 41% of all confirmed foodborne outbreaks in Minnesota from 1981-1998. Although laboratory confirmation of caliciviruses in stool samples was not attempted in most of these outbreaks, all conformed to epidemiologic criteria for defining outbreaks of Norwalk virus. Since 1996, the availability of polymerase chain reaction testing at the Minnesota Department of Health has allowed for the confirmation of calicivirus infection among patients involved in epidemiologically defined outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis. Results have confirmed the usefulness of characterizing foodborne disease outbreaks by epidemiologic criteria and also confirmed the importance of human caliciviruses as the leading cause of foodborne disease outbreaks in Minnesota.
Insights
Norwalk virus, a type of human calicivirus, has been the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in Minnesota since 1982. Laboratory testing confirmed its prevalence, highlighting the importance of epidemiological surveillance for viral gastroenteritis.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Norwalk virus (NV) and related human caliciviruses are significant causes of foodborne illness outbreaks.
- From 1981-1998, NV accounted for 41% of confirmed foodborne outbreaks in Minnesota.
- Historically, laboratory confirmation was limited, relying on epidemiological criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the role of human caliciviruses in foodborne disease outbreaks in Minnesota.
- To evaluate the utility of epidemiological criteria and laboratory confirmation methods.
Main Methods:
- Review of foodborne disease outbreak data in Minnesota from 1981-1998.
- Application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for calicivirus confirmation since 1996.
Main Results:
- Human caliciviruses were identified as the most frequent cause of foodborne disease outbreaks.
- Epidemiological data accurately characterized NV outbreaks, even without laboratory confirmation.
- PCR testing confirmed calicivirus infections in outbreaks initially defined by epidemiology.
Conclusions:
- Human caliciviruses are the primary cause of foodborne outbreaks in Minnesota.
- Epidemiological characterization is a valuable tool for identifying NV outbreaks.
- Laboratory confirmation, particularly PCR, enhances the understanding of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks.