%0 Journal Article
%T An outbreak of norovirus infection in a long-term care facility in Brazil
%A Fernando Gatti de Menezes
%A Vanessa Maria da Silva de Poli Correa
%A F¨¢bio Gazelato de Mello Franco
%A Miriam Ikeda Ribeiro
%J Einstein (S£¿o Paulo)
%D 2010
%I Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein
%X Objective: To describe a norovirus outbreak in a Brazilian longtermcare facility from July 8 to 29, 2005. Methods: In thefirst 48 to 72 hours after onset of symptoms in inpatients andemployees, the main infection control strategies were staffeducation, emphasis on hand washing, implementing contactprecautions up to 48-72 hours after resolution of symptoms,complete cleaning of the rooms and exclusion of symptomaticemployees from work until 48-72 hours after resolution of theirsymptoms. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of thenorovirus infections were described based on chart review.Results: The incidence among inpatients and employees was41.3% and 16.25%, respectively. The main symptom was diarrhea,affecting 100% of inpatients and employees. Forty-four percent ofspecimens were positive by RIDASCREEN  Norovirus analyses,and identified as norovirus genogroup GII. Seventy percent ofinpatients were women and their age range was 51-98 years.Inpatients had in average two comorbid conditions ¨C 87.3% withcardiovascular or chronic pulmonary condition and 47.6% withdementia. There was not relapse or death. Conclusions: The earlyinfection-control measures associated to surveillance are requiredto keep long-term care facilities free of noroviruses and to protectthose who are most vulnerable.
%K Norovirus
%K Disease outbreaks
%K Homes for the aged
%K Aged
%K Surveillance
%U http://apps.einstein.br/revista/arquivos/PDF/1779-Einsteinv8n4_pg410-413_eng.pdf