1998 Outbreak of Norovirus Linked to Raspberry Dressing, Finland

Employees of a large company in Helsinki, Finland, developed gastroenteridis after eating salad dressing that had been made with frozen raspberries. The raspberries were an imported product. Freezing would not destroy Norovirus if it had contaminated a food, such as raspberries. Four food workers were confirmed to be infected with Norovirus. The food workers had reported eating the raspberry dressing and only became ill when other employees became ill. The investigators assumed that the food workers were victims of this outbreak just as were the other employees. Norovirus was not detected in the raspberries.

Overview

Outbreak began:April 1998
Affected country:Other International
States/territories:NA
Pathogen:Norovirus
Vehicle(s):Raspberries
Location(s):Workplace cafeteria
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:509

Sources & documents

Report / reference links