Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces
10:03

Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces

Published on: February 6, 2017

An outbreak of norovirus infection in a long-term-care unit in Spain

Gemma Navarro1, Rosa M Sala, Ferran Segura

  • 1Unitat d'Epidemiologia I Avaluacio, Corporacio Parc Tauli, Parc Tauli s/n, 08208 Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain. gnavarro@cspt.es

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|March 31, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A norovirus genotype 2 outbreak in a Spanish long-term-care facility infected 60 individuals, including patients and staff. Enhanced hygiene measures controlled the infectious gastroenteritis outbreak within 21 days.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Norovirus, a Caliciviridae family member, causes infectious enteritis via fecal-oral transmission.
  • Outbreaks are infrequently reported in Spain.
  • This report details a norovirus outbreak in a long-term-care hospital ward.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a norovirus outbreak in a long-term-care facility.
  • To identify the affected population and transmission dynamics.
  • To report on control measures and outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Cases were classified as probable, confirmed, and secondary.
  • Stool samples were collected for analysis.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for norovirus detection.

Main Results:

  • The outbreak involved 60 cases (patients, staff, relatives) from December 7-28, 2001.
  • Most cases (82%) were female; age distributions varied between staff and patients.
  • Norovirus genotype 2 antigen was detected in 16 of 23 tested cases; symptoms included diarrhea and vomiting.

Conclusions:

  • Norovirus genotype 2 caused gastroenteritis in patients, staff, and relatives.
  • The outbreak was successfully controlled within 21 days using enhanced hygiene measures.
  • This highlights the vulnerability of long-term-care facilities to norovirus outbreaks.

More Related Videos

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR15:16

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR

Published on: July 22, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Coronavirus01:29

Coronavirus

Coronaviruses, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), are enveloped viruses characterized by their single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome and helical nucleocapsid structure. The hallmark of these viruses is their club-shaped spike (S) glycoproteins that protrude from the viral envelope, facilitating attachment to host cells. Typically, coronaviruses infect the upper respiratory tract, often causing mild or asymptomatic disease. However, certain strains like...
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence01:28

Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
Botulism01:22

Botulism

Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...