2004 Outbreak of Norovirus at Miami-Dade County University Dining Hall, Florida

In December, the Miami-Dade County Health Department received reports of an outbreak of gastroenteritis on a local university campus. The investigation gathered food history information and stool samples from as many ill students as possible. Eleven stool samples tested positive for Norovirus. The epidemic curve suggested a likely point-source exposure. In a unique investigation technique, the students dining cards were used to track their purchases. As part of a case-control study, the food purchases of well students were used to identify a common food exposure for the ill students. However, no common exposure was found. The investigation suffered due to the timing of the outbreak, as most students had already left the campus for winter break. There was no obvious environmental condition found that might have contributed to the outbreak.

Overview

Outbreak began:December 2004
Affected country:US
States/territories:FL
Pathogen:Norovirus
Vehicle(s):Unknown
Location(s):University cafeteria
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:232

Sources & documents

Report / reference links