title: High incidence of norovirus GII.4 outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes in Catalonia (Spain), 2010-2011.
abstract: A descriptive study was performed between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011 to estimate the incidence of norovirus outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes in Catalonia (Spain). Epidemiological surveys were done for each outbreak. Norovirus was confirmed using RT-PCR. The incidence of outbreaks/106 person-years by centre, and the attack rate, were calculated. Statistically significant differences were calculated using odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Person-to-person transmission was responsible for 81·5% (22/27) of outbreaks. The incidence in the population was 156·7 outbreaks/106 person-years. The incidence by centre was 1·3% per year and was greater in hospitals (2·6%) than in nursing homes (0·9%) (OR 3·2, 95% CI 1·5-6·9). The global attack rate in residents and staff was 34·7% (816/2348). The mortality rate was 0·25% (2/816). Genogroup GII.4 caused 66·7% of outbreaks. Norovirus GII.4 outbreaks cause significant morbidity affecting both patients and staff.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health,Generalitat of Catalonia,Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Health,Generalitat of Catalonia,Spain.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrrus
authors.affiliation: Department of Health,Generalitat of Catalonia,Spain.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Torner
authors.affiliation: Department of Health,Generalitat of Catalonia,Spain.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Camps
authors.affiliation: Department of Health,Generalitat of Catalonia,Spain.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.affiliation: Enteric Virus Group, Department of Microbiology,University of Barcelona,Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guix
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Service,Vall d'Hebron Hospital,Catalonia,Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bartolomé
authors.affiliation: Department of Health,Generalitat of Catalonia,Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: Public Health Agency of Barcelona,Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Simón
authors.affiliation: CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP),Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Domínguez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000635:transmission; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D029322:Norovirus; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: outbreak