Norovirus Lawyer & Attorney : Marler Clark : Norovirus Blog

An international conference for sharing experiences and updates on current knowledge of the Norovirus and managing outbreaks in both clinical and community settings is set for Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 in London.

Sponsor of the one day event is the Royal Society for Public Health.

"Norovirus used to be known as the 'winter vomiting virus,' but now could claim the title of the 'cruise ship bug,' given it's prolificacy in that environment," the sponsors write, "Norvirus is known for its dominance of the gastrointestinal infection statistics and its ability to close down hospital wards or hotels when it strikes."

Speakers will include Norovirus experts from the United States, England, and Ireland.  It will include focuses on managing outbreaks in large hotels and holiday camps, and cruise ships in addition to cleaning the environment and control the spread of the virus across borders.

Norovirus accounts for 50 percent of worldwide foodborne gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomitting) outbreaks.  It accounts for an estimated 23 million illnesses annually in the U.S.

For more information and registration go to the Booking Form for: Norovirus: An On going Challenge. 

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25 November 2009

28 Portland Place, London, W1B 1DE

Tab 1: Conference overview

Norovirus outbreaks remain a major public health concern and the subject of much media attention.

It is estimated that Norovirus accounts for 50% of worldwide food borne gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) outbreaks and causes more than 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis a year in the USA alone. It is also the most prevalent cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales – and is now recognised to occur throughout the year and affect individuals of any age.

Norovirus used to be known as the ‘winter vomiting virus’, but now could claim the title of the ‘cruise ship bug’, given it’s prolificacy in that environment. Norovirus is also known for its dominance of the gastrointestinal infection statistics and its ability to close down hospital wards or hotels when it strikes.

With the continuing difficulties involved in controlling outbreaks of Norovirus, this conference will share experiences and update delegates on current knowledge of the virus and managing outbreaks, both in clinical and community settings.

The conference will be chaired by Professor Rodney Cartwright, Medical Microbiologist and RSPH advisor.

Who should attend?

This meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to update on the issues surrounding Norovirus infection and outbreak. It is essential learning for those working in the health sector, environmental health, the cleaning products industry, the cruise ship industry and anyone working in infection control.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Tatman, Conference and Event Officer on 020 3177 1614 or jtatman@rsph.org.uk.

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 The New York Times says the Fat Duck restaurant is one of the world's best, so it must be true.  We thought it might be interesting to read the British Health Protection Agency's report on last winter's Norovirus outbreak that made 529 duck diners sick.  In part it says:

The investigation was conducted by the HPA and Environmental Health Officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Berkshire East Primary Care Trust was also involved. The final report has been delayed due to the swine flu pandemic which required priority response from the Health Protection Agency.

Investigations focused on laboratory testing of diners with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting (where possible); analysis of detailed questionnaires sent to others who reported similar illness; investigation of illness among staff; examination of the restaurant environment and food processing, handling and supply; laboratory testing of food samples.

Putting together findings from all these parts of the investigation, the main conclusions were that:

• There was a large outbreak of food poisoning among diners at the Fat Duck Restaurant in January and February 2009, with more than 500 reporting illness - over 15 percent of those dining there during this period
• The organism responsible was norovirus which was probably introduced via shellfish (more diners who ate shellfish dishes reported illness). Oysters were served raw; razor clams may not have been appropriately handled or cooked; tracing of shellfish to source showed evidence of contamination and there have been reports of illness in other establishments associated with oysters from the same source
• The outbreak continued for at least six weeks (between January 6 and February 22) because of ongoing transmission at the restaurant - which may have occurred through continuous contamination of foods prepared in the restaurant or by person-to-person spread between staff and diners or a mixture of both
• Several weaknesses in procedures at the restaurant may have contributed to ongoing transmission including: delayed response to the incident; staff working when they should have been off sick and using the wrong environmental cleaning products
• Delays in notification of illness may have affected the ability of the investigation to identify the exact reason for the norovirus contamination.

The Fat Duck told the New York Times it knew of no employee who worked while sick.

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 Mark Roberts is a Texas-based insurance sales and marketing agent who doubles as a pretty decent health writer.  In the Cypress Times, he takes a "just the facts" approach to laying out what we all need to know about Norovirus.  A few examples:

The norovirus is known to be highly contagious; and, therefore, the illness can literally be passed around like a big bag of chips in a hurry.

Actually, according to GuideToCaribbeanVacations.com, these are a group of related viruses, referred to as "Norwalk-like viruses" or NLV, causing acute gastroenteritis in humans. The incubation period is usually between 24 and 48 hours although cases have been reported to occur within 12 hours of exposure. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea with abdominal cramps and nausea generally lasting 24 to 60 hours. Dehydration is the most common complication. Yet even during the worst, most publicized outbreaks of sick ship only a small percentage of passengers are usually affected. According to Princess Cruises, "Statistics have shown that the chance of contracting Norovirus on land is 1 in 12; and 1 in 4000 on a cruise ship."

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Noroviruses are members of a group of viruses called caliciviruses, also known previously as “Norwalk-like viruses.” Norovirus is also called viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and calicivirus. Norovirus infection causes gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines. And, Norovirus is by far the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks. This infection is often mistakenly referred to as the “stomach flu"- it is not related to the flu (influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus. Norovirus is not a “new” virus, but interest in it is growing as more is learned about how frequently noroviruses cause illness in people.

Read the rest in The Cypress Times.

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Nick Christensen, writing in The Hillsboro Argus, reports that residents at the Jennings McCall Center in Forest Grove, OR have been in quarantine since Aug. 11 after an outbreak of norovirus.

Adella MacDonald, chief executive officer of the Jennings McCall Center, said the first case of norovirus came in on Aug. 7. After consulting with county health officials, a quarantine was placed.

At the outbreak's peak, 23 staff members and 21 of the facility's 121 residents had contracted the virus, MacDonald said. One resident was taken to the hospital with dehydration, but nobody was kept overnight.

"We're very fortunate," she said.

Residents were allowed out on their porches for fresh air, and had meals brought to their rooms. Those residents who had access to the outside world without going through the central facility were able to leave with family, MacDonald said.

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