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Updated: Dec 14, 2025
10:03
Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces
Published on: February 6, 2017
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Characterizing Norovirus Transmission from Outbreak Data, United States
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|July 21, 2020
Summary
Norovirus outbreaks spread easily, with a basic reproduction number (R₀) of 2.75. Transmission rates showed little variation across different US outbreak settings, though long-term care facilities had higher rates.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Transmission
Background:
- Norovirus is a primary cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in the US.
- Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate norovirus reproduction numbers (R₀ and Rₑ).
- To assess norovirus transmission variation across different outbreak settings and seasons.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 7,094 norovirus outbreaks reported to the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) from 2009-2017.
- Estimation of basic (R₀) and effective (Rₑ) reproduction numbers.
- Use of regression models to evaluate transmission by outbreak setting and season.
Main Results:
- Median R₀ was 2.75 (IQR 2.38–3.65); median Rₑ was 1.29 (IQR 1.12–1.74).
- Long-term care facilities showed a higher R₀ (3.35), while schools/colleges had an R₀ of 2.92.
- R₀ peaked in fall/winter and was lowest in summer, with minimal overall transmission variability across settings.
Conclusions:
- Norovirus transmission shows limited variation across most US outbreak settings.
- Long-term care facilities represent a setting with potentially higher norovirus transmission.
- Reproduction numbers provide valuable insights into norovirus epidemiology and control.
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