Читать книгу Principles of Virology, Volume 2 - Jane Flint, S. Jane Flint - Страница 30

While the thought of an ocean cruise may evoke images of endless buffets and poolside piña coladas, to viral epidemiologists, such pleasure ships appear as prime breeding grounds for viral epidemics. Norwalk virus, a member of the norovirus family, is often associated with cruise ship outbreaks of gastroenteritis resulting in vomiting and diarrhea, although other viruses can also cause these nautical nightmares. Moreover, Norwalk virus is not restricted to ships; hot spots include any place in which many people from various locations are in close proximity for an extended period. Other high-density environments include prisons, airplane cabins, day care facilities, dormitories, and elderly care communities. The risk of transmission is enhanced by the fact that noroviruses are quite hardy, and can be transmitted either person to person or via contaminated food or surfaces, resulting in the need to decontaminate all shared surfaces with chlorine-containing solutions following an outbreak. While the gastrointestinal effects of a noroviral infection are unpleasant, the disease is short-lived, and patients usually recover quickly. However, the frequency with which these outbreaks strike is a chilling re minder that, despite improved tools to characterize viral epidemics and reduce their spread, the ease and prevalence of world travel greatly facilitate the encounter between viruses and new hosts.