Acute gastroenteritis surveillance through the National Outbreak Reporting System, United States

Abstract

Implemented in 2009, the National Outbreak Reporting System provides surveillance for acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in the United States resulting from any transmission mode. Data from the first 2 years of surveillance highlight the predominant role of norovirus. The pathogen-specific transmission pathways and exposure settings identified can help inform prevention efforts.

Keywords: United States; acute gastroenteritis; bacteria; chemicals; enteric infections; foodborne disease; non-infectious causes; norovirus; outbreaks; parasites; pathogens; surveillance; toxins; viruses; waterborne disease.

Figure 1

Total number and annual rate of reported acute gastroenteritis outbreaks per 1 million population by reporting state, National Outbreak Reporting System, United States, 2009–2010. The number given in each state indicates the total number of outbreaks over the 2-year study period; the shading denoted by the legend indicates the reporting rate by quartiles. Multistate outbreaks (n = 48) and those reported by Puerto Rico (n = 15) and the District of Columbia (n = 24) are not shown.

Figure 2

Number of reported acute gastroenteritis outbreaks by month of first illness onset and etiology, National Outbreak Reporting System, United States, 2009–2010. *Includes outbreaks caused by a single etiologic agent other than norovirus or multiple etiologies.