Food poisoning vs Norwalk virus

Viruses don’t multiply in food. They only use food as a transport medium to gain entry into human body where they multiply. Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses are the most common cause of foodborne viral illness.

Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses have been responsible for outbreaks of gastroenteritis by victims who consume contaminated food or water. This group of virus is responsible for sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in the community and for outbreaks.

The virus can be transmitted by eating improperly cooked shellfish, such as oysters that have been gathered from waters where raw human sewage is present. Ice made from contaminated water can also be a source of infection.

This virus was initially described in 1972 and derived its name from an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in a secondary school in Norwalk, Ohio. It was suspected but never proven that the source of infection was contaminated water supply. Illness spread by person-to-person contact within the community.
Food poisoning vs Norwalk virus