Abstract:
An outbreak of gastroenteritis among members of a tour group on an airplane resulted in an emergency diversion. An investigation was conducted to determine the etiology of the outbreak, assess whether transmission occurred onboard the airplane, and describe risk factors for transmission. Case patients, defined as passengers or crew members with vomiting or diarrhea, were asked to submit stool samples for norovirus laboratory testing. Fifteen (41%) tour group members met the case definition, with most illnesses occurring before or during the flight. Seven (8%) passengers who were not tour group members met the case definition after the flight. Norovirus genogroup II was detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in stools from case patients in both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sitting in an aisle seat and sitting near any tour group member were associated with developing illness. Transmission of norovirus likely occurred during the flight, despite its short duration.
