Norovirus - highly infectious and life-threatening
Only 26 to 35 nanometres in size – and despite this the main cause of non-bacterial gastro-intestinal infections throughout the world: Noroviruses!
The number of norovirus outbreaks has increased in the last six years by a factor of 20 and has risen to over 200,000 affected by illness each year. The number of unreported cases is estimated at almost three times this number.
In addition to sporadic individual cases, outbreaks of considerable magnitude are occurring in communal institutions such as hospitals and rest homes. Particularly problematic with Norovirus outbreaks is its explosive spread both among patients and to medical staff.
The consequences of an outbreak of the viral disease range from ward closures to admission bars owing to high staff sickness rates. This results in a serious shortfall in primary care as well as enormous economic damage.
The virus is transferred either by the faecal-oral route, if the viruses have been excreted via the stools, or via droplets from vomiting. Dispersion of the virus also begins a few hours before the first symptoms appear and can continue for a further 7 – 14 days after the symptoms have subsided.
After an incubation period of 10 – 50 hours, the body reacts with diarrhoea and vomiting, in order to free“ itself of the viruses.
Because there is no known treatment which is directly effective against the virus, all measures are directed at treating and compensating for fluid loss.
For further information visit www.rki.de