Lessons learned from a norovirus outbreak in a locked pediatric inpatient psychiatric unit

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2005 Oct;26(10):841-3. doi: 10.1086/502504.

Abstract

We report an outbreak of norovirus in a locked pediatric inpatient psychiatric unit with attack rates of 75% among 4 patients and 26% among 38 staff. Factors contributing to the outbreak included environmental contamination, close staff-patient contact including sharing meals, and inability to confine the index patient with the use of contact precautions.

MeSH terms

  • Caliciviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / prevention & control*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology
  • Child
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Cross Infection / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology
  • Gastroenteritis / prevention & control*
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Hospital Units*
  • Humans
  • Infection Control*
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Norovirus* / isolation & purification
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Psychiatric Department, Hospital*
  • Security Measures