Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-14T04:32:02.520Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Infectious gastroenteritis in Norfolk Island and recovery of viruses from drinking water

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

A. M. Murphy ,
G. S. Grohmann  and
M. F. H. Sexton
A. M. Murphy
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Centre, Sydney 2145, Australia, and Norfolk Island Administration, Norfolk Island, South Pacific 2899, Australia
G. S. Grohmann
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Centre, Sydney 2145, Australia, and Norfolk Island Administration, Norfolk Island, South Pacific 2899, Australia
M. F. H. Sexton
Affiliation:
Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Centre, Sydney 2145, Australia, and Norfolk Island Administration, Norfolk Island, South Pacific 2899, Australia
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A high incidence of gastroenteritis in both islanders and tourists has been recorded in recent years on Norfolk Island – a popular tourist resort for Australians and New Zealanders. No bacterial cause has been found. However, electron microscopic examination of 28 faecal specimens revealed viruses associated with gastroenteritis in 21 (75%). No viruses were isolated in cell cultures. Bore water is used for drinking purposes on the island and 32 samples from 15 bores were examined for viruses by electron microscopy and culture as well as for bacterial contamination. Seven polioviruses (all type 1 vaccine strain) and adenoviruses 1 and 5 were isolated in cell cultures. In addition one rotavirus, one adenovirus and two small round viruses were detected by electron microscopy. Six of 21 samples tested showed unacceptably high levels of bacteria for drinking water. The deep ground water has apparently become contaminated with sewage effluent and is almost certainly the main cause of the high level of gastroenteritis on the island.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 91 , Issue 1 , August 1983 , pp. 139 - 146
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

References

REFERENCES

Abel, R. S. (1976). A groundwater investigation on Norfolk Island. Bureau of Mineral Resources, Australia. Record 1976/62 (unpublished).Google Scholar
King, A., Buffett, A., McKenzie, A., Murphy, A., Stallman, N.O'Donnell, M. S. & Rajapaksa, (1982). PUO outbreak on Norfolk Island (1981–2) Australia. Communicable Diseases Intelligence, Australia, Commonwealth Department of Health. Bulletin number 82/8.Google Scholar
Lwoff, A. & Lwoff, M. (1960). Sur les Facteurs du Developpement viral et leur rôle dans l'évolution de l'infection. Annales de l'Institut Pasteur 98(2), 173.Google Scholar
Ratnamohan, N., Garretson, R., & Irving, L. G. (1980). An ultrafiltration system for the recovery of viruses in effluent. The Australian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science 1, 149.Google Scholar
Sexton, M. F. H., Grohmann, G. S. & Murphy, A. M. (1980). Infectious gastroenteritis in Norfolk Island. Communicable Diseases Intelligence, Australia, Commonwealth Department of Health. Bulletin number 80/19.Google Scholar
Shuval, H. I. & Katzenelson, E. (1972). The detection of enteric viruses in the water environment. In Water Pollution Microbiology (ed. Mitchell, R.), p. 347. New York: Wiley.Google Scholar
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (1980). 15th edition, American Public Health Association – American Water Works Association – Water Pollution Control Federation.Google Scholar