%0 Journal Article
%T Steep rise in norovirus cases and emergence of a new recombinant strain GII.P16-GII.2, Germany, winter 2016.
%A Niendorf S
%A Jacobsen S
%A Faber M
%A Eis-Hübinger AM
%A Hofmann J
%A Zimmermann O
%A Höhne M
%A Bock CT
%J Euro Surveill
%V 22
%N 4
%D Jan 2017 26
%M 28181902
%F 21.286
%R 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.4.30447
%X Since early November 2016, the number of laboratory-confirmed norovirus infections reported in Germany has been increasing steeply. Here, we report the detection and genetic characterisation of an emerging norovirus recombinant, GII.P16-GII.2. This strain was frequently identified as the cause of sporadic cases as well as outbreaks in nine federal states of Germany. Our findings suggest that the emergence of GII.P16-GII.2 contributed to rising case numbers of norovirus gastroenteritis in Germany.