A community waterborne gastroenteritis outbreak: evidence for rotavirus as the agent

Am J Public Health. 1984 Mar;74(3):263-5. doi: 10.2105/ajph.74.3.263.

Abstract

A community waterborne nonbacterial gastroenteritis outbreak occurred in Eagle-Vail, Colorado in March 1981. Illness (defined as vomiting and/or diarrhea) was statistically associated with water consumption (chi 2 for linear trend = 7.07, p less than .005). Five of seven persons associated with the outbreak were infected with rotavirus as shown by virus detection or serological methods. Bacterial pathogens, Giardia lamblia, and Norwalk virus were excluded as responsible agents. Rotavirus should be looked for as a cause of waterborne outbreaks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Colorado
  • Disease Outbreaks / epidemiology*
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Rotavirus / isolation & purification
  • Rotavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Rotavirus Infections / etiology
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Supply*