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Their findings, which illustrate the role that inanimate objectscan play in spreading norovirus infection, appear in The Journal of Infectious Diseases . Noroviruses are a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide andthe most common cause of foodborne outbreaks in the United States.Highly contagious, even in low concentrations, the viruses spreadefficiently from feces and vomit by direct contact or by indirecttransmission from viral contamination of surfaces. In October 2010,a cluster of gastroenteritis that appeared in a group of peoplewith no apparent direct physical contact with a pathogen challengedinvestigators to find the cause and take appropriate controlmeasures. In the study, Kimberly K. Repp, PhD, MPH, of Oregon Health andSciences University, and William E. Keene, PhD, MPH, of the OregonPublic Health Division in Portland, investigated an outbreak in agroup of 17 Oregon girls, 13-14 years old, and their four adultchaperones attending a soccer tournament in Washington state. Allhad traveled in private automobiles, shared hotel rooms, and eatenat local restaurants. Eight cases were identified, including theindex patient who was presumably infected prior to the trip. Therewas no direct contact between the original patient and herteammates after her symptoms began; before her overt symptoms beganshe left her room and moved in with a chaperone. The girlsubsequently began vomiting and having diarrhea in the chaperone'sbathroom. The outbreak affecting the rest of the team began severaldays later; they were exposed by handling a bag of snacks thatunfortunately had been stored in the hotel bathroom. Virusaerosolized within the bathroom likely settled onto the grocery bagand its contents. Matching viruses were found on the reusableshopping bag two weeks later. The investigation confirmed the great potential for contaminationof surfaces in norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, in nursinghomes, and in other group settings. "While we certainlyrecommend not storing food in bathrooms," the authors note,"it is more important to emphasize that areas where aerosolexposures may have occurred should be thoroughly disinfected; thisincludes not only exposed surfaces, but also objects in theenvironment" that could become contaminated and spreadinfection. The authors point to some of the practices that can beput in place to limit outbreaks caused by such indirect contact,including disinfection of affected areas and the use of multiplebathrooms with one dedicated for use by those who are sick. In an accompanying editorial, Aron J. Hall, DVM, MSPH, of theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, notes that noroviruses"are perhaps the perfect human pathogens," causing anestimated 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis annually in theU.S. alone. The investigation of this outbreak, as reported by thestudy authors, "provides a fascinating example of how a uniqueexposure and transmission scenario can result in a norovirusoutbreak." Fast Facts: 1. Norovirus can spread infection through contact with surfaces andobjects contaminated by aerosolized particles. 2. Noroviruses are highly contagious, even in low concentration,and the viruses spread efficiently from feces and vomit by directand indirect contact. 3. Noroviruses are the leading cause of endemic diarrheal diseaseacross all age groups, the leading cause of foodborne disease, andthe cause of half of all gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. 4. Whenever possible, ill persons should use a separate bathroom toreduce the potential for spread of the virus. Notify family membersor cleaning staff about the need for thorough disinfection ofsurfaces. I am an expert from recessedled-downlight.com, while we provides the quality product, such as T8 Led Light Tube Manufacturer , T5 Tube Lights, T10 Led Tube,and more.
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