Massive outbreak of viral gastroenteritis associated with consumption of municipal drinking water in a European capital city.

On 24 August 2008, an outbreak alert regarding cases of acute gastroenteritis in Podgorica triggered investigations to guide control measures. From 23 August to 7 September, 1699 cases were reported in Podgorica (population 136 000) and we estimated the total size of the outbreak to be 10 000-15 000 corresponding to an attack rate of approximately 10%. We conducted an age- and neighbourhood-matched case-control study, microbiologically analysed faecal and municipal water samples and assessed the water distribution system. All cases (83/83) and 90% (80/90) [corrected] of controls drank unboiled chlorinated municipal water [matched odds ratio (mOR) 11.2, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6-infinity]. Consumption of bottled water was inversely associated with illness (mOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8). Analyses of faecal samples identified six norovirus genotypes (21/38 samples) and occasionally other viruses. Multiple defects in the water distribution system were noted. These results suggest that the outbreak was caused by faecally contaminated municipal water. It is unusual to have such a large outbreak in a European city especially when the municipal water supply is chlorinated. Therefore, it is important to establish effective multiple-barrier water-treatment systems whenever possible, but even with an established chlorinated supply, sustained vigilance is central to public health.

[Ambrosia pollination: Lyon--Dauphiné--Isère, 2001]. / Pollinisation des ambroisies: Lyon--Dauphiné--Isère 2001.

Within the framework of the decrees taken on the departments of Isère and Rhone concerning the protection of the population with respect to ambrosia, the object of this study is to relate the analysis of the daily pollen counts in the of air along the Lyon-Grenoble axis. With this intention, three sensors of the type HIRST were positioned according to standards of the European networks in Lyon-Gerland, Bourgoin-Jallieu and Grenoble. The results presented show the curves of the daily pollen counts on the three sites and by indicating the allergic thresholds of risks associated defined by the RNSA. The number of days with high risk, for each of the three sites, can thus be compared. Experiment must be prolonged to follow, these comparative results and moreover, possible effectiveness of the obligations of pulling up of the plant on atmospheric pollination.