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Norovirus is a single-stranded, nonenveloped RNA virus that is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States. Norovirus causes an estimated 23 million cases of gastroenteritis and 50,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S. alone.2
Norovirus causes the abrupt onset of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that usually last one to two days. Symptoms appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus. Symptom severity and/or duration can be increased among the elderly or immunocompromised. There is no specific cure for norovirus, but replacement of fluids to avoid dehydration is extremely important.3
Outbreaks occur in all age groups and are particularly a problem among closed populations in crowded quarters. Examples include cruise ships, schools, extended care facilities and hospitals.
Decontamination of environmental surfaces is an important part of controlling the spread of norovirus. The virus is relatively stable and can persist on surfaces in the environment.4
The efficacy of bleach for inactivation of noroviruses on environmental surfaces has been confirmed in the published literature; this work suggests that environmental surfaces can be decontaminated by a 5000 ppm bleach and detergent solution.1 However, detergent-based cleaning alone failed to eliminate norovirus contamination.
Environmental contamination was a contributing factor during a recent outbreak of norovirus among patients in an inpatient psychiatry unit. Control efforts included extensive cleaning and disinfection of the unit with a 1:10 dilution of hypochlorite (household bleach) solution. Other control efforts, including closing the unit to new patients and putting ill staff on sick leave, were also instituted. No subsequent cases of norovirus occurred after the unit was reopened. Along with enhanced environmental disinfection, the authors recommend hand hygiene with soap and water.
1. Barker J, Vipond IB, Bloomfield SF. Effects of cleaning and disinfection in reducing the spread of norovirus contamination via environmental surfaces. Journal of Hospital Infection. 58:42-49,2004.
2. Mead PS, Slutsker L, Dietz V et al. Food related illness and death in the United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 5:607-625,1999.
3. CDC. Norovirus Q&A. National Center for Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and Enteric Viruses Branch. 2005.
4. CDC. Fact Sheet: Norovirus in Healthcare Facilities. National Center for Infectious Diseases, 2005.
5. Weber DJ, Sickbert-Bennett EE, Vinje J et al. Lessons learned from a norovirus outbreak in a locked pediatric inpatient psychiatry unit. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 26:841-843,2005.
Products that kill Norovirus
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