Sapovirus food poisoning

Last edited 02/2020

Cause:

• Sapovirus (formerly known as a human classic Calicivirus)

Reservoir:

• Humans

Epidemiology:

• responsible for about 9% of cases of gastroenteritis in the community and a similar proportion of those presenting to primary care Infection mainly in under-5’s, although adult outbreaks do occur
• outbreaks are most often in child care facilities, often with high attack rates. May also occur in hospitals, nursing homes, cruise ships and colleges

Transmission:

• mostly person-to-person via the faeco-oral route
• environmental contamination may occur, and waterborne or foodborne transmission may be possible

Incubation period:

• 1-3 days (median 1.7 days)

Common clinical features:

• diarrhoea, often with abdominal pain/cramps and vomiting. Vomiting usually a less prominent feature than in Norovirus infections
• low grade fever, myalgia or headache may also occur
• symptoms are usually mild and self-limiting
• asymptomatic infection may occur

Infectivity:

• Whilst symptomatic and for 48 hours after diarrhoea has stopped

Notes:

• Faecal excretion of the organism lasts for up to 2 weeks and faeces have been shown to contain high levels of virus

Reference:

• PHE (2019). Recommendations for the Public Health Management of Gastrointestinal Infections