Lab Matters Fall 2018 | Page 31

FOOD SAFETY Further Testing of Norovirus Negative Outbreaks September 2013 – June 2018 (n = 244) norovirus-negative specimens. Of those 244 specimens, 18% were positive for sapovirus, 10% were positive for rotavirus and 3% were positive for astrovirus (Figure 1). 3 The additional testing performed by CDC and the UVD sites provides valuable information on norovirus-negative outbreaks that would otherwise be classified as outbreaks of undetermined etiology. Jurisdictions with norovirus- negative outbreaks can send specimens to any of the UVD sites for additional testing at no charge. UVD sites need at least three patient samples per outbreak along with basic epidemiologic information including outbreak date or onset date and jurisdiction. For additional information on UVD testing and specific site contacts, please contact CDC CaliciNet staff at [email protected]. n Viral Negative Outbreaks 69% Viral Positive Outbreaks 31% Sapovirus 18% Rotavirus 10% Astrovirus 3% Mixed <1% Figure 1. CaliciNet UVD site testing results on stool specimens from norovirus negative outbreaks for rotavirus, sapovirus, wand astrovirus, 2013-2018. The Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity Your Biosafety Resource! ABSA International was founded in 1984 to promote biosafety as a scientific discipline and serve the growing biosafety and biosecurity needs of scientists, laboratorians, health care workers, and biosafety professionals throughout the world. ABSA International Activities and Resources • • • • • • • • Annual Biological Safety Conference, Training Courses, and Webinars Applied Biosafety: Journal of ABSA International Biosafety Publications – Including Anthology of Biosafety Series Biosafety Training Resources Animal Biosafety Training Video – www.absa.org/resanimal.html Credentialed Biosafety Professionals – Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) and Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP) BSL-2/-3 and ABSL-2/-3 Accreditation Program – www.absaaccreditation.org Biosafety ListServ, Job Board, Risk Group Database, Biosafety Buyer’s Guide, Training Tools, and more… www.absa.org PublicHealthLabs @APHL APHL.org Fall 2018 LAB MATTERS 29