Which illness is described as a contagious gastrointestinal illness often linked to contaminated food?

• A. Hepatitis A
• B. Norovirus
• C. Salmonella
• D. E. coli

Answer: (B)

This question is about a microorganism that causes a very contagious GI illness often tied to contaminated food. Norovirus fits this description best because it causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea and spreads very easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, and close contact with an infected person. Outbreaks happen frequently in places where people share meals or handle food, such as schools, restaurants, and cruise ships.

Hepatitis A is a viral illness that primarily affects the liver and is also spread via contaminated food or water, but its main impact isn’t a rapid, contagious GI illness. Salmonella and E. coli can cause foodborne GI infections, but they’re bacterial illnesses and aren’t described as the highly contagious, quick-spreading GI illness that Norovirus is known for.