2005 Outbreak of Norovirus at a Church Potluck, Minnesota

A February church potluck in Bloomington, Minnesota, led to a Norovirus outbreak. The health department received reports of illness, and began investigating the source with a food history survey. Analysis of the food histories found the macaroni salad to be associated with illness on a stistically significant level. People who ate the macaroni salad were over one hundred times more likely to become ill than those who did not eat it. The macaroni salad was determined to be the source of the illness which was caused by Norovirus. Stool samples contained Norovirus, and no other usual gastrointestinal pathogens. The salad was likely contaminated by the person who prepared it. They reported gastrointestinal illness on February 8 and prepared the salad four days later.

Overview

Outbreak began:February 2005
Affected country:US
States/territories:MN
Pathogen:Norovirus
Vehicle(s):macaroni salad
Location(s):Potluck, Church event
Molecular test results:no

Health impact

Total ill:22

Sources & documents

Report / reference links