The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focused on recent norovirus outbreaks in the June 2014 issue of Vital Signs. Norovirus has received media attention lately because of its presence on cruise ships, but the CDC concludes that these cases account for only one percent of all reported norovirus outbreaks. The more likely culprit in the case of norovirus is a food service handler.
Seventy percent of norovirus outbreaks are accounted for by food service workers. The CDC explains that these outbreaks can be avoided if the food service workers practice proper hand washing and avoid touching ready-to-eat foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, with their bare hands before serving them. Also, kitchen managers and food service workers should be trained and certified in food safety practices. Finally, sick workers need to be able to stay home, with options for sick leave or on-call staffing.
According to HealthDay News, norovirus is the leading cause of food poisoning outbreaks in the U.S. and it sickens at least 20 million Americans a year with vomiting and diarrhea. Many more cases of norovirus may be unreported because individuals get sick and do not notify public health authorities.
Of the cases in which food service workers were implicated, the majority came from restaurants and the remainder from catering or banquet facilities. Norovirus contamination comes from sick food handlers touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands or from ingredients that are contaminated and used in preparation of larger dishes.
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Source : http://dailydigestnews.com/2014/06/cdc-reveals-the-largest-source-of-norovirus-outbreaks/
