RESUMEN
In November 2013, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health was notified of a gastroenteritis outbreak following two meetings held at a conference centre. Identical food and beverages were served during the meetings. We investigated in order to identify the vehicle of infection and implement control measures. Meeting participants completed an online questionnaire on consumption of foods and beverages. We asked symptomatic participants to provide a stool sample. We defined a case as diarrhoea and/or vomiting in a participant who became ill within 3 days after the meeting. We calculated attack rates (AR) and adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using binomial regression. We conducted environmental investigations. Overall, 147/168 (88%) participants responded, of which 74 (50%) met the case definition. All five stool samples provided were norovirus positive. No kitchen staff reported being sick. Risk of illness was higher in those who consumed raspberry mousse (aRR 3·4, 95% CI 1·4-8·2) and sliced fresh fruit (aRR 1·9, 95% CI 1·3-2·8). Seventy cases (95%) ate raspberry mousse. Frozen raspberries used for the mousse were imported and not heat-treated before consumption. Non-heat-treated frozen raspberries were the most likely outbreak vehicle. Contamination by a food handler could not be excluded. We recommend heat-treatment of imported frozen berries before consumption.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Caliciviridae/epidemiología , Brotes de Enfermedades , Microbiología de Alimentos , Enfermedades Transmitidas por los Alimentos/epidemiología , Alimentos Congelados/virología , Gastroenteritis/epidemiología , Rubus/virología , Adulto , Anciano , Infecciones por Caliciviridae/virología , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Enfermedades Transmitidas por los Alimentos/virología , Gastroenteritis/virología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Norovirus/fisiología , Noruega/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
In October and November 2013, four cases of wound botulism were confirmed in people who inject drugs (PWID) in Norway. Two additional cases are suspected. Because of the international distribution pathways for heroin the likely source of the outbreak healthcare workers and public health authorities in other countries should remain vigilant for wound botulism in PWID. This outbreak serves as a reminder that countries should ensure access to botulinum antitoxin in case of outbreak situations.