Emergence of New Norovirus Variants on Spring Cruise Ships and Prediction of Winter Epidemics

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Emerg Infect Dis
• Personal Author:
  Verhoef, Linda ; Depoortere, Evelyn ; Boxman, Ingeborg ; Duizer, Erwin ; van Duynhoven, Yvonne ; Harris, John ; Johnsen, Christina ; Kroneman, Annelies ; Le Guyader, Soizick ; Lim, Wilina ; Maunula, Leena ; Meldal, Hege ; Ratcliff, Rod ; Reuter, Gábor ; Schreier, Eckart ; Siebenga, Joukje ; Vainio, Kirsti ; Varela, Carmen ; Vennema, Harry ; Koopmans, Marion
• Corporate Authors:
  on behalf of the Food Borne Viruses in Europe Network
• Description:
  In June 2006, reported outbreaks of norovirus on cruise ships suddenly increased; 43 outbreaks occurred on 13 vessels. All outbreaks investigated manifested person-to-person transmission. Detection of a point source was impossible because of limited investigation of initial outbreaks and data sharing. The most probable explanation for these outbreaks is increased norovirus activity in the community, which coincided with the emergence of 2 new GGII.4 variant strains in Europe and the Pacific. As in 2002, a new GGII.4 variant detected in the spring and summer corresponded with high norovirus activity in the subsequent winter. Because outbreaks on cruise ships are likely to occur when new variants circulate, an active reporting system could function as an early warning system. Internationally accepted guidelines are needed for reporting, investigating, and controlling norovirus illness on cruise ships in Europe.
• Subjects:
  Caliciviridae Infections Communicable Diseases, Emerging Disease Outbreaks Gastroenteritis Genetic Variation Humans Population Surveillance Seasons Ships Travel
• Source:
  Emerg Infect Dis. 14(2):238-243.
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Europe
• Volume:
  14
• Issue:
  2
• Collection(s):
  Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:69411a95c38c286ed1854cafcb9153e945ebae962b202055f9ca5621b0973f8f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/16656/cdc_16656_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 240.57 KB ]