What is it?

Sapovirus is a virus that is known to cause gastroenteritis in humans. It is a member of the Caliciviridae family and is closely related to norovirus. Sapovirus is primarily transmitted through the faecal-oral route, with contaminated food and water being the most common sources of infection.

Aged care facilities are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of Sapovirus due to the proximity of residents and employees and the potential for contaminated food and water.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can appear suddenly and include

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

Abdominal cramps

Chills

Headache

Myalgia and malaise

Gastroenteritis symptoms are self-limiting, and residents usually recover within a few days.

Transmission

The transmission of Sapovirus in aged care facilities can occur through various routes. The most common modes of transmission include

Poor hand hygiene

Direct contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids, such as vomit or diarrhoea

Fomites such as doorknobs, handrails, and countertops can become contaminated with the virus and spread the infection to people who touch them

Consuming food or water that has been contaminated with the virus can cause infection

In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted through the air when an infected person vomits

Diagnosis

The Doctor will order a faecal sample to be sent to the pathology lab. This can help identify the outbreak's source so that steps can be taken to prevent it from spreading further.

Outbreak Criteria

An outbreak of Sapovirus in an aged care facility is defined as two or more cases of acute gastroenteritis symptoms, i.e. diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain in residents or employees within a 72-hour period.