Published Date: 2004-01-04 23:50:00
Subject: PRO/EDR> Norovirus activity 2002-2003 - UK (England)
Archive Number: 20040104.0034
NOROVIRUS ACTIVITY 2002-2003 - UK (ENGLAND)
**************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Thu 1 Jan 2004
From: ProMED-mail<promed@promedmail.org>
Source: Sheffield Star, Wed 31 Dec 2003 [edited]
<http://www.sheffieldtoday.net>
England: Viral Gastroenteritis Widespread in Hospitals - Jan 2002 to Mar 2003
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A total of almost 11 000 patients and staff nationwide were affected in 369
outbreaks in England in the period from January 2002 to the end of March
2003, Health Department figures show. This [large number of cases] is
linked with norovirus infection in places such as hospitals, schools,
hotels, nursing homes, and cruise ships. Health Minister Melanie Johnson
gave figures showing 2550 cases of infection in norovirus outbreaks in
hospitals in the Northern and Yorkshire [NHS] region alone in the period
January 2002 to March 2003. There were 341 in the Trent health region.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said the disease spread
rapidly and caused a "huge cost" to the NHS. He claimed defective infection
control had led to an increase in cases. The Government recently launched a
drive to improve infection control in hospitals because of [high] levels of
super-bug [i.e. antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens] infections.
Mr Burstow said: "It is completely unacceptable that hospital patients can
be infected with diseases due to poor hygiene standards." Lessons from last
year should be learnt, said Mr Burstow adding: "Patients in hospital do not
want to live in fear of winter vomiting disease [viral gastroenteritis],
especially older patients. Infection control should be a top priority so
that outbreaks are kept to a minimum."
An outbreak of norovirus infection in a hospital in Australia cost over GBP
8000 in sick leave and bed closures, Mr Burstow recalled.
--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
See Also
2003----
Viral gastroenteritis update 2003 (25) 20031114.2826
Viral gastroenteritis update 2003 (23) 20031031.2716
Viral gastroenteritis update 2003 (15) 20030605.1376
Viral gastroenteritis update 2003 (12) 20030424.1003
Viral gastroenteritis update 2003 (09) 20030312.0605
Viral gastroenteritis update 2003 (05) 20030206.0320
Viral gastroenteritis update 2003 (04) 20030127.0248
Norovirus activity 2002 - USA 20030123.0206
2002
----
Norwalk-like virus, hospital o/b - UK (London) (02) 20020530.4364
Norwalk-like virus, hospital outbreak - UK (Eng.) (02) 20020805.4952
Norwalk-like virus, hospital outbreak - UK (England) 20020607.4434
Norwalk-like virus, hospital outbreak - UK (London) 20020528.4339
Norwalk-like virus, hospital outbreaks - UK 20020917.5335
Norwalk-like virus, hospital outbreaks - UK (02) 20020919.5357
Norwalk-like virus, hospitals - UK and Ireland 20021014.5551
Viral gastroenteritis update 2002 (02) 20021219.6097
Viral gastroenteritis update 2002 - (01) 20021218.6088
Viral gastroenteritis update 2002 - (03) 20021225.6122
Viral gastroenteritis update 2002 - UK & Ireland (01) 20021019.5601
Viral gastroenteritis update 2002 - UK & Ireland(02) 20021028.5656
Viral gastroenteritis update 2002 - UK & Ireland(03) 20021103.5706
Viral gastroenteritis update 2002 - UK & Ireland (04) 20021116.5822
Viral gastroenteritis update 2002 - UK & Ireland (05) 20021128.5913
...................jw/cp/pg/mpp
*##########################################################*
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>.
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################