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Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis associated with Norwalk-like viruses in campus settings.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Moe, CL; Christmas, WA; Echols, LJ; Miller, SE
Published in: J Am Coll Health
September 2001

Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs) are transmitted by fecally contaminated food, water, fomites, and person-to-person contact. They are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis epidemics in industrialized countries. NLV outbreaks are characterized by a 12- to 48-hour incubation period; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for 24 to 72 hours; and high secondary attack rates. NLV infections spread rapidly on college and university campuses because of close living quarters, shared bathrooms and common rooms, many food handlers, popular self-service salad bars in dining halls, and person-to-person contact through sports and recreational activities. The illness is generally mild and self-limited but an outbreak can strain the resources of campus health services and cause high absenteeism among both students and staff. Treatment is primarily through antiemetic medication and oral rehydration. Prevention and control of NLV outbreaks rests on promoting hand washing; enforcement of strict hygiene in all food preparation areas; and prompt, rigorous cleaning of potentially contaminated areas where someone has been ill.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Am Coll Health

DOI

ISSN

0744-8481

Publication Date

September 2001

Volume

50

Issue

2

Start / End Page

57 / 66

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Universities
  • United States
  • Substance Abuse
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Norwalk virus
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Female
  • Feces
 

Citation

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Moe, C. L., Christmas, W. A., Echols, L. J., & Miller, S. E. (2001). Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis associated with Norwalk-like viruses in campus settings. J Am Coll Health, 50(2), 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448480109596008
Moe, C. L., W. A. Christmas, L. J. Echols, and S. E. Miller. “Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis associated with Norwalk-like viruses in campus settings.J Am Coll Health 50, no. 2 (September 2001): 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448480109596008.
Moe CL, Christmas WA, Echols LJ, Miller SE. Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis associated with Norwalk-like viruses in campus settings. J Am Coll Health. 2001 Sep;50(2):57–66.
Moe, C. L., et al. “Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis associated with Norwalk-like viruses in campus settings.J Am Coll Health, vol. 50, no. 2, Sept. 2001, pp. 57–66. Pubmed, doi:10.1080/07448480109596008.
Moe CL, Christmas WA, Echols LJ, Miller SE. Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis associated with Norwalk-like viruses in campus settings. J Am Coll Health. 2001 Sep;50(2):57–66.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Am Coll Health

DOI

ISSN

0744-8481

Publication Date

September 2001

Volume

50

Issue

2

Start / End Page

57 / 66

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Universities
  • United States
  • Substance Abuse
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Norwalk virus
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Female
  • Feces