Norovirus outbreak causing gastroenteritis in a hotel in Menorca, Spain. / Brote de gastroenteritis causado por norovirus en un hotel de Menorca, España.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To establish the agent responsible for a gastroenteritis outbreak in a hotel in Menorca (Spain) in September 2016. METHODS: The study included epidemiological and laboratory analysis. Environmental and stool samples were examined for bacterial and viral pathogens. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-one cases were detected, 123 among the tourists staying in the hotel and 28 affecting the staff. The presence of genotypeII norovirus was discovered in the microbiological studies of patient's faeces, as well as in the surface samples of rooms and common areas. The control plan implemented allowed for control of the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: This study on a genotypeII norovirus outbreak reveals the importance of a rapid response for controlling these types of outbreaks.