Norovirus outbreaks in a nursery school in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. These are non-enveloped viruses that are classified into 10 genogroups, of which genogroup I (GI), II (GII), IV (GIV), VIII (GVIII), and IX (GIX) are the ones that infect humans. Two outbreaks (A and B) of acute gastroenteritis that occurred in a nursery school are described. The first outbreak (A) occurred in November 2018, and the second (B) in February 2020. The detection of viral and bacterial pathogens was performed to study both outbreaks. Additionally, an epidemiological investigation of the outbreaks was conducted. In the analyzed fecal and vomit samples from both children and adults in the nursery school, NoV GII.4 [P16] Sydney 2012 and NoV GI.3 [P13] were detected in outbreaks A and B, respectively. Since the study of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks is underestimated in Argentina, it is necessary to design prevention, study, and control protocols, as well as to improve the outbreak notification system in our country.