Rotaviruses, astroviruses, and sapoviruses as foodborne infections

Abstract Astroviruses, rotaviruses, and sapoviruses are all causes of acute gastroenteritis. These viruses are primarily transmitted through person-to-person contact, although transmission can also occur via contaminated food, water, and fomites. Most foodborne rotavirus, sapovirus, and astrovirus illness arises from foods contaminated by an infected food handler or by contaminated growing (shellfish) or irrigation water (produce). Childhood vaccines have reduced the incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis in young children as well as among unvaccinated older children and adults through herd immunity. Prevention of foodborne viral gastroenteritis relies primarily on strict adherence to proper hand hygiene practices, exclusion of ill food handlers from food preparation, use of clean water for production of produce, and thorough cooking of foods. Norovirus, covered in Chapter 16, is the leading cause of foodborne viral gastroenteritis. This chapter introduces readers to astrovirus, rotavirus, and sapovirus and summarizes what is known about foodborne diseases attributed to these viruses.