A multistate outbreak of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis associated with consumption of commercial ice

Article Abstract:

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that form the inner lining of the stomach and intestines. It can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps. Viruses called Norwalk or Norwalk-like virus, which can be found in drinking water, have been reported to be the cause of many different outbreaks of gastroenteritis. It is estimated that 23 percent of all outbreaks of gastroenteritis reported to the Centers for Disease Control between 1976 and 1980 were caused by Norwalk-like viruses. This article describes an outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by consumption of commercially prepared ice. In September of 1987, gastroenteritis occurred in people attending a college football game in Philadelphia and in people attending a museum fund-raiser in Wilmington, Delaware. When of survey of 614 people who attended these events was conducted, it was found that 31 percent had become ill. Those who reported that they had eaten ice while attending the event were 12 times more likely to have diarrhea or vomiting than those who had not eaten ice. Sixty-eight percent of those tested had higher than normal levels of antibody to the Norwalk virus in their blood. The ice used at both events was supplied by a company in southeastern Pennsylvania. The wells used by the company had become contaminated during a hard rainfall that flooded a nearby creek, allowing water from the creek to enter the wells. This is the first report of gastroenteritis caused by eating commercially prepared ice contaminated with the Norwalk virus. Regulations that govern the production and distribution of ice should be reevaluated. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Disease transmission, Contamination, Ice, Gastroenteritis, Norwalk virus

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ABO blood groups and the risk of diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Article Abstract:

Previous studies have reported that people with type O blood have the greatest risk of developing diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae (the bacteria that causes cholera), while people with type AB blood have the lowest risk, and those with type A or type B have an intermediate level of risk. It is not known why this occurs. Both Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli (a bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines) can make enterotoxin, a substance that causes diarrhea. Infection with either bacteria produces similar symptoms. Therefore, a study was performed to determine if diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli (ETEC) is more common in people with type O blood, as is the case for diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae. Two groups of Bangladesh children were assessed during a 17-month-period between July of 1985 and June of 1986: 343 children who developed ETEC and a comparison group of 641 children who did not have ETEC. Blood samples were taken from each child and the blood types were determined. Results revealed that there was no relation between blood type and the incidence of ETEC. These findings indicate that children with type O blood do not have a greater risk of developing ETEC than children with other blood types. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Risk factors, Physiological aspects, Enterotoxins, Blood groups, ABO blood-group system

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Investigation of an outbreak of adult diarrhea rotavirus in China

Article Abstract:

Adult diarrhea rotavirus (ADRV), a group B rotavirus, has been implicated in many large outbreaks of severe diarrhea among adults in China. This epidemic property has not been previously associated with this group of viruses. Repeated outbreaks have occurred, involving more than one million cases. Contaminated water supplies were initially implicated in many of these episodes. Children were not usually involved in these epidemics. A recent outbreak involving 222 persons, two deaths, and children as cases, was reported in March 1987, without the usually implicated fecally contaminated water source. The index (first) case was a traveller, who transmitted the infection to his family, neighbors, and villagers in adjacent communities. Adults were consistently at greater risk of severe diarrhea than were children, the severity increasing with the age of the patient. No point source was identifiable for this outbreak, confirming the original suggestion of person-to-person transmission. Epidemiologic studies were conducted, but did not include laboratory studies. These studies also confirmed the presence of asymptomatic cases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

China, Social policy, Rotavirus infections

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