Design a prioritized three-step intervention plan for a small community experiencing repeated outbreaks of norovirus linked to both ill household contacts and restaurant cases. Which combination below is most appropriate and justified?

• A. First, rapid education and enforcement of strict handwashing with soap for food handlers and household contacts; second, immediate exclusion of symptomatic food workers and aggressive cleaning of contaminated surfaces with effective disinfectants; third, public messaging to avoid preparing food for others while symptomatic; these steps interrupt fecal-oral transmission at the most frequent points of spread.
• B. First, encourage everyone to take antacids to neutralize stomach acid so norovirus cannot replicate; second, replace municipal water with bottled water for two weeks; third, instruct people to only eat at home; antacids directly prevent fecal-oral infection and bottled water is the only long-term solution.
• C. First, widespread distribution of broad-spectrum antibiotics to the population; second, banning all street vendors indefinitely; third, universal nose masking only; these measures will eliminate norovirus more quickly than targeted hygiene measures.
• D. First, vaccinate the entire community immediately with a hypothetical universal norovirus vaccine; second, close all restaurants permanently; third, require medical screening of all children before school admission; though ideal, a universal vaccine and permanent restaurant closures are necessary because hygiene alone cannot interrupt norovirus.

Answer: (A)