An outbreak of group A rotavirus infection among adults from eating meals prepared at a restaurant, April 2000 - Shimane
(IASR 2000; 21: 145-146)

On April 24, 2000, 11 people were reported to be suspected food poisoning. They ate meals together at a restaurant on April 17. Field investigation revealed that 22 out of 59 persons who ate lunch box on April 17 developed illness (attack rate 37%). Those patients' are between 30's and 80's, and incubation period varied between 11.5-149.5 hours (mean 59.2). Major symptoms included watery diarrhea (91%), abdominal pain (59%), fever (46%), vomiting (41%), and nausea (32%).

As 7 days passed until start of investigation, considerable recall bias prevented from specifying implicated food.

Virological examination (Rotaclone, TFB) was carried out using stool specimens from 12 patients and 3 food handlers. Seven patients' stool and 2 food handlers' stool were positive for group A rotavirus. Electron-microscopic observation revealed rotavirus-like particle in 2 patient specimens. Serotyping was conducted using Rota-MA (SeroTec). Of 9 roravirus positive specimens, 3 patient specimens were unclassifiable, and the rest were all classified in G serotype 2.

Outbreak of rotavirus infection among adults from eating meals prepared at a restaurant was rare. In Shimane Prefecture, major pediatric viral gastroenteritis pathogens were shifted from Norwalk-like virus during December 1999 to January 2000, to group A rotavirus during February to March, and mixture of these was sporadically observed in April.

Eleven rotavirus specimens were collected in 2000, and 4 specimens were classifiable. Two G serotype 1 and two G serotype 2 specimens were identified.

Reported by: Setsuko Iizuka, Yuhou Matsuda, Ken Hoshina, Asao Itagaki, Shimane Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science; Kazuo Tsuda, Kisuki Health and Welfare Center; Shoichi Masuda, Hamada Health and Welfare Center.

Correspondence: Setsuko Iizuka;
E-mail: siizuka@joho-shimane.or.jp
Fax: +81-852-36-8356

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