摘要：In August 1996, an outbreak of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis occurred among south-eastQueensland and northern New South Wales residents over a four week period. Ninety-two of the97 cases detected were confirmed as having consumed raw oysters within three days prior todeveloping the illness. No other food items or beverages were significantly associated with theillness. Environmental investigations indicated the Terranora Broadwater, Tweed Heads as theorigin of the contaminated oysters. However, the primary source of Norwalk virus could not beverified. Oysters and other shellfish appear to be a common vehicle for transmission of this virus.This outbreak and the more recent hepatitis A outbreak associated with Wallis Lake oysters,highlight the susceptibility of oysters to environmental contamination and the urgent need forstricter quality control procedures. This report details the epidemiological, microbiological andenvironmental findings from an outbreak investigation conducted jointly by the Queensland andNew South Wales health authorities
