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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
10:03
Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces
Published on: February 6, 2017
20.3K
Animals as Reservoir for Human Norovirus
Nele Villabruna1, Marion P G Koopmans2, Miranda de Graaf3
1Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands. n.villabruna@erasmusmc.nl.
Viruses
|May 28, 2019
Summary
Norovirus, a common cause of gastroenteritis, infects various animals. Research suggests norovirus may spread between species, posing a potential public health risk. Understanding animal norovirus is crucial for human health surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Norovirus causes widespread non-bacterial gastroenteritis globally.
- Norovirus diversity includes 10 genogroups and over 40 genotypes.
- Noroviruses infect humans and a wide range of animals, including livestock, pets, marine mammals, and bats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diversity, prevalence, and geographic distribution of animal noroviruses.
- To describe the pathology associated with animal norovirus infections.
- To evaluate evidence for norovirus interspecies transmission.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of surveillance data.
- Review of in vitro and in vivo experimental data.
Main Results:
- Noroviruses exhibit significant diversity across various animal hosts.
- Evidence suggests potential for norovirus to cross the species barrier.
- Pathology in animal hosts is not fully understood but is being investigated.
Conclusions:
- Noroviruses may not be strictly host-restricted.
- Further research is needed to understand the full scope of animal norovirus infections and their zoonotic potential.
- Investigating animal noroviruses is critical for global health security.
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