Food Manager Practice Exam

What is the common route of transmission for Norwalk/Norovirus?

1. Airborne

2. Vector-borne

3. Fecal-oral route

4. Contact transmission

The correct answer is: Fecal-oral route

Norwalk virus, commonly known as norovirus, primarily spreads through the fecal-oral route. This means that the virus is excreted in the feces of an infected person and can contaminate food, water, surfaces, or utensils. When an uninfected person ingests food or water contaminated with microscopic amounts of feces containing the virus, they can become infected. This transmission route is especially prevalent in settings where hygiene practices are insufficient, such as in crowded environments or during outbreaks in restaurants and schools. It highlights the importance of proper handwashing and safe food handling practices to prevent transmission. The other transmission routes mentioned are less relevant for norovirus, as airborne transmission typically involves viruses that spread through respiratory droplets, vector-borne transmission refers to diseases spread by animals or insects, and contact transmission generally involves direct physical interaction rather than through contaminated food or water.