Steep rise in norovirus cases and emergence of a new recombinant strain GII.P16-GII.2, Germany, winter 2016

Euro Surveill. 2017 Jan 26;22(4):30447. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.4.30447.

Abstract

Since early November 2016, the number of laboratory-confirmed norovirus infections reported in Germany has been increasing steeply. Here, we report the detection and genetic characterisation of an emerging norovirus recombinant, GII.P16-GII.2. This strain was frequently identified as the cause of sporadic cases as well as outbreaks in nine federal states of Germany. Our findings suggest that the emergence of GII.P16-GII.2 contributed to rising case numbers of norovirus gastroenteritis in Germany.

Keywords: GII.P16-GII.2; Germany; emergence; norovirus; recombinant.

MeSH terms

  • Caliciviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology
  • Diarrhea / virology
  • Disease Notification / statistics & numerical data
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology
  • Gastroenteritis / virology*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype*
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Norovirus / classification*
  • Norovirus / genetics*
  • Norovirus / isolation & purification
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Seasons
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • RNA, Viral