Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Europe 1995-2000.

Data from ten surveillance systems in Europe on viral gastroenteritis outbreaks from 1995 to 2000 was compiled to gain an understanding of surveillance and epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Europe. The objective was to capture information on the structure of outbreak surveillance in each country and to gain estimates of the frequency of outbreaks, as well as to compare the setting of outbreaks, the importance of foodborne transmission, and the use of characterisation techniques. Norovirus was found to be responsible for >85% of all nonbacterial outbreaks reported from 1995 to 2000. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2003;9:90-96.