Norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes: the evaluation of infection control measures

I H M Friesema; H Vennema; J C M Heijne; C M de Jager; G Morroy; J H T C van den Kerkhof; E J M de Coster; B A Wolters; H L G ter Waarbeek; E B Fanoy; P F M Teunis; R van der Linde; Y T H P van Duynhoven

doi:10.1017/S095026880900274X

Norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes: the evaluation of infection control measures

I H M Friesema
, H Vennema
, J C M Heijne
, C M de Jager
, G Morroy
, J H T C van den Kerkhof
, E J M de Coster
, B A Wolters
, H L G ter Waarbeek
, E B Fanoy
, P F M Teunis
, R van der Linde
, Y T H P van Duynhoven

Centre for Infectious Disease Control
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Effective infection control measures during norovirus outbreaks are urgently needed in places where vulnerable individuals gather. In the present study, the effect of a number of measures was investigated in daily practice. Forty-nine Dutch nursing homes were monitored prospectively for norovirus outbreaks during two winter seasons. A total of 37 norovirus outbreaks were registered. Control measures were most effective when implemented within 3 days after onset of disease of the first patient. Measures targeted at reduced transmission between persons, via aerosols, and via contaminated surfaces reduced illness in staff and in residents. Reducing illness in staff results in fewer costs for sick leave and substitution of staff and less disruption in the care of residents. The effect of control measures on outbreak duration was limited. This is the first intervention study examining the effect of control measures. Further research is needed to extend and refine the conclusions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1722-33
Number of pages	12
Journal	Epidemiology and infection
Volume	137
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S095026880900274X
Publication status	Published - Dec 2009
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Caliciviridae Infections/epidemiology
Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
Health Personnel
Humans
Infection Control/methods
Norovirus
Nursing Homes
Seasons
Visitors to Patients

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10.1017/S095026880900274X

Cite this

Friesema, I. H. M., Vennema, H., Heijne, J. C. M., de Jager, C. M., Morroy, G., van den Kerkhof, J. H. T. C., de Coster, E. J. M., Wolters, B. A., ter Waarbeek, H. L. G., Fanoy, E. B., Teunis, P. F. M., van der Linde, R., & van Duynhoven, Y. T. H. P. (2009). Norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes: the evaluation of infection control measures. Epidemiology and infection, 137(12), 1722-33. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095026880900274X

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title = "Norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes: the evaluation of infection control measures",

abstract = "Effective infection control measures during norovirus outbreaks are urgently needed in places where vulnerable individuals gather. In the present study, the effect of a number of measures was investigated in daily practice. Forty-nine Dutch nursing homes were monitored prospectively for norovirus outbreaks during two winter seasons. A total of 37 norovirus outbreaks were registered. Control measures were most effective when implemented within 3 days after onset of disease of the first patient. Measures targeted at reduced transmission between persons, via aerosols, and via contaminated surfaces reduced illness in staff and in residents. Reducing illness in staff results in fewer costs for sick leave and substitution of staff and less disruption in the care of residents. The effect of control measures on outbreak duration was limited. This is the first intervention study examining the effect of control measures. Further research is needed to extend and refine the conclusions.",

keywords = "Caliciviridae Infections/epidemiology, Disease Outbreaks/prevention \& control, Health Personnel, Humans, Infection Control/methods, Norovirus, Nursing Homes, Seasons, Visitors to Patients",

author = "Friesema, \{I H M\} and H Vennema and Heijne, \{J C M\} and \{de Jager\}, \{C M\} and G Morroy and \{van den Kerkhof\}, \{J H T C\} and \{de Coster\}, \{E J M\} and Wolters, \{B A\} and \{ter Waarbeek\}, \{H L G\} and Fanoy, \{E B\} and Teunis, \{P F M\} and \{van der Linde\}, R and \{van Duynhoven\}, \{Y T H P\}",

year = "2009",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1017/S095026880900274X",

language = "English",

volume = "137",

pages = "1722--33",

journal = "Epidemiology and infection",

issn = "0950-2688",

publisher = "Cambridge University Press",

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Friesema, IHM, Vennema, H, Heijne, JCM, de Jager, CM, Morroy, G, van den Kerkhof, JHTC, de Coster, EJM, Wolters, BA, ter Waarbeek, HLG, Fanoy, EB, Teunis, PFM, van der Linde, R & van Duynhoven, YTHP 2009, 'Norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes: the evaluation of infection control measures', Epidemiology and infection, vol. 137, no. 12, pp. 1722-33. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095026880900274X

TY - JOUR

T1 - Norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes

T2 - the evaluation of infection control measures

AU - Friesema, I H M

AU - Vennema, H

AU - Heijne, J C M

AU - de Jager, C M

AU - Morroy, G

AU - van den Kerkhof, J H T C

AU - de Coster, E J M

AU - Wolters, B A

AU - ter Waarbeek, H L G

AU - Fanoy, E B

AU - Teunis, P F M

AU - van der Linde, R

AU - van Duynhoven, Y T H P

PY - 2009/12

Y1 - 2009/12

N2 - Effective infection control measures during norovirus outbreaks are urgently needed in places where vulnerable individuals gather. In the present study, the effect of a number of measures was investigated in daily practice. Forty-nine Dutch nursing homes were monitored prospectively for norovirus outbreaks during two winter seasons. A total of 37 norovirus outbreaks were registered. Control measures were most effective when implemented within 3 days after onset of disease of the first patient. Measures targeted at reduced transmission between persons, via aerosols, and via contaminated surfaces reduced illness in staff and in residents. Reducing illness in staff results in fewer costs for sick leave and substitution of staff and less disruption in the care of residents. The effect of control measures on outbreak duration was limited. This is the first intervention study examining the effect of control measures. Further research is needed to extend and refine the conclusions.

AB - Effective infection control measures during norovirus outbreaks are urgently needed in places where vulnerable individuals gather. In the present study, the effect of a number of measures was investigated in daily practice. Forty-nine Dutch nursing homes were monitored prospectively for norovirus outbreaks during two winter seasons. A total of 37 norovirus outbreaks were registered. Control measures were most effective when implemented within 3 days after onset of disease of the first patient. Measures targeted at reduced transmission between persons, via aerosols, and via contaminated surfaces reduced illness in staff and in residents. Reducing illness in staff results in fewer costs for sick leave and substitution of staff and less disruption in the care of residents. The effect of control measures on outbreak duration was limited. This is the first intervention study examining the effect of control measures. Further research is needed to extend and refine the conclusions.

KW - Caliciviridae Infections/epidemiology

KW - Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control

KW - Health Personnel

KW - Humans

KW - Infection Control/methods

KW - Norovirus

KW - Nursing Homes

KW - Seasons

KW - Visitors to Patients

U2 - 10.1017/S095026880900274X

DO - 10.1017/S095026880900274X

M3 - Article

SN - 0950-2688

VL - 137

SP - 1722

EP - 1733

JO - Epidemiology and infection

JF - Epidemiology and infection

IS - 12

ER -

Norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes: the evaluation of infection control measures

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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