Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a way to pasteurize oysters without chemicals or heat using an electron beam. A study measuring the method’s efficacy on norovirus and hepatitis A appears in the June issue of the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Hepatitis A is virus that causes a liver disease that can last for weeks or months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain and jaundice. Symptoms usually develop two to six weeks after exposure and can last up to six months. Sometimes called “the stomach flu,” norovirus is an extremely contagious virus responsible for half of all … [Read more...]
Possible Norovirus Outbreak at Hilton Benefit in Westchester, New York
About 100 people who attended a benefit for the Pelham Picture House in Rye Brook have been sickened with a gastrointestinal illness. The event was held at the Hilton Westchester. Public health officials from Westchester County suspect norovirus is the cause of the illnesses. One person has been hospitalized. Patients are experiencing diarrhea and vomiting. The Health Department press release states norovirus may be the cause, saying it is "a stomach bug whose symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. We are reaching out to interview all those who may be affected to help determine the source of the illness and to identify any new cases. We don't know how many are affected yet." Hilton is cooperating with the investigation and released a statement saying the hotel "is making every effort to … [Read more...]
Norovirus Leading Cause of Severe Gastroenteritis in Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information about a new study that shows norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among children less than five who seek medical care. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Norovirus caused almost 1 million pediatric medical visits for 2009 and 2010 in the United States. Dr. Daniel Payne, an epidemiologist in the Division of Viral Diseases at the CDC said, "Infants and young children are very susceptible to norovirus infections, which often result in a high risk of getting dehydrated from the sudden onset of intense vomiting and severe diarrhea. Our study estimates that 1 in 278 U.S. children will be hospitalized for norovirus illness by the time they turn 5 years of age. It is … [Read more...]
Diluted Pesticides Could Put Norovirus in Food Chain
A new study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology has found that pesticides reconstituted with contaminated water could be a source of norovirus in the food chain. Farmers use well water, lake water, and river water to produce fruits and vegetables. That water is used to dilute pesticides, which are applied to fields just before produce is harvested. This extends shelf life. Researchers looked at the levels of culturable norovirus in eight different pesticides, right after dilution and after two hours. MNV-1, the murine norovirus, was found to remain infectious in seven of the eight pesticides. The scientists conclude that water containing norovirus could be an important source of the virus in fresh produce chains. The pesticides did not kill norovirus. The … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas Has Norovirus Outbreak
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship Vision of the Seas has reported an outbreak of norovirus that has sickened at least 118 passengers and 3 crew members. The ship had 1,991 passengers on board and 772 crew members, which means 5.3% of the those on board were sickened. The ship docked in Port Everglades, Florida on Friday March 8, 2013 and was thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before its next journey. Passengers "responded well to treatment", according to the company. Norovirus is an extremely contagious disease that causes vomiting, stomach pain, and severe diarrhea. Most people recover within a few days, but some can be severely dehydrated and require hospitalization. Other complications can include swelling of the brain, seizures, hypovolemic shock, kidney failure, and … [Read more...]
Billygan’s Roadhouse in Washington Closed After Outbreak
Billygan's Roadhouse in Salmon Creek, Washington was closed Friday when at least 22 customers developed gastroenteritis. According to KOIN Local 6, the Clark County Public Health Department closed the Vancouver-area restaurant for at least 48 hours. Last year, a Salmonella Virchow outbreak closed the On the Border Mexican restaurant in Vancouver when at least 113 people were sickened. County Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu ordered the closure so the restaurant could be cleaned and sanitized. All possibly contaminated food was discarded. Public health officials are making sure that all food safety measures, including hand-washing stations and food handling laws, are being followed. There is no word on if any of the ill individuals required hospitalization. Gastroenteritis is most commonly … [Read more...]
Norovirus Most Common Stomach Virus For Kids
Norovirus is the leading cause of intestinal illness among children, according to a new study by researchers in Texas. Rotavirus had previously been in the top spot, but the rotavirus vaccine slashed the prevalence of pediatric cases by 64 percent, the researchers found. The researchers studied an eight and a half year span at the Texas Children’s Hospital surrounding the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine. After the vaccine, rotavirus cases were reduced by almost two thirds leaving norovirus in the top spot. Norovirus causes frequent intense bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. Although it is not a flu virus, it is sometimes called the stomach flu, or winter vomiting disease, cruise ship virus or Norwalk. It is extremely contagious and is known to cause outbreaks in close quarters … [Read more...]
Norovirus: What Food Handlers Should Know
Norovirus, an uber contagious bug that causes repeated, intense bouts of diarrhea and vomiting, is responsible about half of all food poisoning cases every year in the United States. It goes by a variety of names: stomach flu, winter vomiting disease, cruise ship virus, and Norwalk. It takes only a few particles of the virus to cause illness and the virus is very successful at setting up shop once it makes its way into the host. The virus is also very contagious and easily spreads person-to-person, as well as though contaminated food and surfaces. Any food handled by someone infected with norovirus can be contaminated. That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published information for food handlers on how to prevent the spread of the disease. First off is … [Read more...]
North Park Deli in California Reopens After Closure for Norovirus
Contra Costa County environmental health officials in California closed the North Park Deli in Concord last week for norovirus. Two employees tested positive for the virus. Public health officials started investigating the restaurants after 48 people who ate food at an event catered by the deli became ill. The restaurant reopened February 1, 2013 after a thorough cleaning. According to KTVU.com, the county's environmental health department director Marilyn Underwood said the catered event was held at a local biotech company. Those who were sickened "ate common food, at a common place so we came to the North Park deli and talked with the employees there, suspecting one of them had come to work sick. We found that one had come to work sick to their stomach and had worked that day," she … [Read more...]
New Strain of Norovirus Appears in U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that a new strain of norovirus called GII.4 Sydney has appeared in the United States. Norovirus is the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis in this country. Those who develop serious complications from the disease are young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. In the past ten years, new GII.4 strains have emerged every two to three years, replacing older strains. When these new strains appear there is usually increased outbreak activity. GII.4 Sydney has caused 53% of the norovirus outbreaks reported in September-December 2012 through CaliciNet, an electronic laboratory surveillance network. Scientists believe the virus originated in Australia and was first detected there in March … [Read more...]
