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. 2003 Jan;9(1):90-6.
doi: 10.3201/eid0901.020184.

Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Europe, 1995-2000

Ben A Lopman  1 , Mark H Reacher, Yvonne Van Duijnhoven, François-Xavier Hanon, David Brown, Marion Koopmans
Affiliations

Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Europe, 1995-2000

Ben A Lopman et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Jan.

Abstract

To gain understanding of surveillance and epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Europe, we compiled data from 10 surveillance systems in the Foodborne Viruses in Europe network. Established surveillance systems found Norovirus to be responsible for >85% (N =3,714) of all nonbacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis reported from 1995 to 2000. However, the absolute number and population-based rates of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks differed markedly among European surveillance systems. A wide range of estimates of the importance of foodborne transmission were also found. We review these differences within the context of the sources of outbreak surveillance information, clinical definitions, and structures of the outbreak surveillance systems.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Viral gastroenteritis outbreak rates, European surveillance, 1995–2000. Rates based on year 2000 national population estimates.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Completeness of epidemiologic and viral characterization information on viral gastroenteritis outbreaks, European surveillance, 2000. SE, Sweden; FI, Finland; SI, Slovenia; E&W, England and Wales; NL, the Netherlands; DK, Denmark; DE, Germany; ES, Spain; FR, France; IT, Italy. *Approximately 500 outbreaks strains were characterized in the United Kingdom, but typing is not linked to epidemiologic data.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Setting of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks, European surveillance, 2000. SE, Sweden; FI, Finland; SI, Slovenia; E&W, England and Wales; NL, the Netherlands; DK, Denmark; DE, Germany; ES, Spain; FR, France; IT, Italy. *Includes restaurants, cafes, public bars, mobile vendors, canteens, and catered events.
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