Persistent Norovirus Outbreaks in a Hospital Setting – the Role of Environmental Contamination

A recent review highlighted the healthcare burden of norovirus infections in China, prior to 2017. Norovirus infections occurred all year round, with 22-29% detection rates in children (6-35 months old) and adults (including the elderly), predominantly of norovirus GII.4 (70.4%).1 Similarly, in England and Wales in 2016 there were 7795 laboratory reported cases of norovirus and acute gastroenteritis, which was estimated to cost the National Health Service up to £86 million annually in bed closures and staff absences,2,3 making norovirus the second-largest contributor of gastrointestinal disease hospital burden in England.

Source: Journal of Infection - June 11, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Benedict RS Rogers, Christopher W Holmes, Matthew Hull, Dawn Westmoreland, Cristina Celma, Stuart Beard, Jake Dunning, Julian W Tang Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research