Epidemiologists have found that most often the source of outbreaks of norovirus infection ("stomach flu"), writes Live Science.
For example, in the United States in 2009-2012 was 1000 outbreaks associated with food contamination. As a result, affected more than 21,000 people. And 64% of the outbreaks occurred in restaurants, 17% - in the banquet halls, 4% - in private homes, 1% - in schools, kindergartens, on cruise ships. In 70% of cases the source of infection was the patient who works in catering. Prior to serving dishes on the table, he could touch the food with their bare hands. A Norovirus is extremely contagious and is spread by contact with the sick person or through food. It causes diarrhea, vomiting. Most often you can find traces of norovirus in leafy vegetables, fruits, shellfish. If a person works in a restaurant and has signs of infection, it is better to stay at home for at least 48 hours. Meanwhile, according to the survey, about one in five workers catering places at least once in the past year come to work sick.