Abstract
We determined the conditions of preventive measures against Norovirus infection among food handlers in Niigata Prefecture and the infection rate among healthy carriers. A questionnaire with 27 questions was sent to 33 food handlers. Of the 27 questions, 22 were direct yes-or-no questions. The data obtained were compared between two groups (group A: employers with ≤ 10 employees; group B: employers with ≥ 11 employees). Norovirus genotypes I and II were detected in feces samples collected from 377 employees (204 men and 173 women) by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The numbers of items for which all food handlers in groups A and B acted in accordance with the teaching guidelines were two (2/22, 9.1%) and seven (7/22, 31.8%), respectively (p < 0.05). The rates of compliance with the guidelines, namely, “use of a nail brush in hand washing” and “their own manual preparation regarding the prevention of food poisoning”, were significantly lower in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). Genotype II was detected in the samples from two men (0.98%) in group A. To prevent Norovirus infection, action in accordance with the teaching guidelines provided by healthcare centers is needed, and restrictions (such as leaving the food-handling area or staying at home) should be imposed on the asymptomatic carriers of Norovirus who are still positive for the virus.
