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Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
Published on: July 22, 2012
[Outbreak of foodborne disease by Norwalk-like viruses genogroup II]
Pere Godoy1, Alba Prat, Miquel Alsedà
1Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Lleida, Spain. godoy@slle.scs.es
Background:
Our goal was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and etiology of an outbreak of food-borne disease caused by Norwalk-like viruses, genogroup II.
Patients And Method:
We performed a historical cohort study on the consumption of 21 food items and clinical symptoms. We assessed RNA Norwalk-like viruses by RT- PCR in stool samples from 5 patients and 2 food-handlers. The potential involvement of each food item was assessed by relative risk at 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results:
The overall attack rate was 70.0% (7/10). The median incubation period was 35.0 hours. Symptoms included: vomits 85.7% (6/7), fever 85.7% (6/7) and diarrhoea 71.4% (5/7). Four food items were involved [fish (RR = 1.7; CI 95% 0.9-3.3); 'selection of cold meats' (RR = 1.6; CI 95% 0.9-2.7); yoghurt (RR = 1.5; CI 95% 1.0-2.4) and lamb (RR = 1.3; CI 95% 0.6-3.0)]. Three stool sample gave positive results for Norwalk-like viruses genogroup II. Important oversights in food-handlers' work were detected.
Conclusions:
RT-PCR enabled us to confirm the etiology of this outbreak as Norwalk-like viruses genogroup II. Although patients recovered quickly, the outbreak caused considerable public alarm.
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