Norwalk-like virus

An extremely common cause of foodborne acute gastroenteritis, usually with more vomiting than diarrhea, that resolves within 2-3 days. Clinical criteria for the diagnosis include: (1) an incubation period of 12-36 hours; (2) an illness characterized by acute onset of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and, in some cases, fever and malaise; and (3) an illness of 12-60 hours duration. The virus is spread primarily from one infected person to another (by the fecal-oral route). Infected kitchen workers can contaminate a salad or sandwich as they prepare it, if they have the virus on their hands. Infected fishermen have contaminated oysters as they harvested them. Also called calicivirus for its characteristic "Star of David" shape with cup-shaped (chalice) indentations.

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Norovirus.