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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:03
Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces
Published on: February 6, 2017
Selection tool for foodborne norovirus outbreaks.
Linda P B Verhoef1, Annelies Kroneman, Yvonne van Duynhoven
1Virology Division of the Diagnostic Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. linda.verhoef@rivm.nl
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 2009
Summary
This study developed a tool to identify foodborne viral outbreaks, improving surveillance. It helps distinguish foodborne norovirus from person-to-person spread, aiding international outbreak detection.
Area of Science:
- Food safety
- Epidemiology
- Virology
Background:
- Bacterial pathogens dominate food chain detection.
- Globalization increases risk of international viral foodborne outbreaks.
- Norovirus outbreaks pose a significant public health challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate virologic and epidemiologic indicators of foodborne norovirus outbreaks.
- To develop a practical tool for identifying foodborne versus person-to-person outbreaks.
- To improve surveillance for international viral foodborne outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of European norovirus surveillance data (2002-2006).
- Development of a validated multivariate logistic regression model.
- Creation of a web-based tool using epidemiologic parameters.
Main Results:
- A model characterized foodborne outbreaks with 80% sensitivity and 86% specificity.
- Non-genogroup-II.4 outbreaks, higher case numbers, and restaurant/household settings indicated foodborne transmission.
- The tool reduced the need for source-tracing by 31%.
Conclusions:
- The developed tool effectively distinguishes foodborne from person-to-person outbreaks.
- Improved data quality and strain typing are crucial for international outbreak surveillance.
- This tool supports prospective follow-up and enhances current surveillance systems.
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