[Outbreak of food-borne gastroenteritis caused by a Norwalk-like virus. Evaluation of methods for confirmation of the etiology in suspected viral gastroenteritis].

Acute gastroenteritis is a common disease and can be food-borne. We describe an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis, probably caused by Norwalk-like virus, which struck 250 people in the course of one week in a small Norwegian community. The source of the infection was probably an infected food handler in a bakery who contaminated cream cakes with the virus. The sensitivity of electronmicroscopy and analyses of IgG antibodies in serum to detect the etiologic agent was very low. The sensitivity to Norwalk Virus Polymerase Chain Reaction was much higher, and this was a considerable diagnostic benefit during the epidemic. Close cooperation between the local health authorities, the food control authorities, the bakery and the public was necessary to diagnose the etiology, source and spread of this food-borne infection.