Secondary Infection among Nursing Staff following Food-borne Norovirus Outbreak in a Hospital and the Association with Patient Care

Abstract

  A food-borne disease outbreak due to norovirus contamination of the hospital food preparation system occurred in our hospital in December, 2006. Out of 105 affected individuals in total, there were 75 primary cases including 70 confirmed and 5 suspected cases, and 30 secondary cases including 8 confirmed and 22 suspected cases. Eleven of the 30 cases of secondary infection including the suspected cases were in-patients, and 19 cases were staff including students. Eleven of the 19 affected staff were nursing staff (2 confirmed cases and 9 suspected cases). The number of nursing staff in contact with the vomit and diarrhea from the patients or the contaminated environment and linen was 61 of 360 who answered our questionnaire survey. Of these 61 affected nursing staff, one confirmed case and one suspected case were diagnosed as food-borne disease, but no relationship was found between contact with vomit and diarrhea or the use of personal protective equipment, and the onset of disease. Such exposure risk was not observed in this outbreak although the exposure risk associated with the processing of the vomit is assumed to be high due to the inhalation of droplets and particles.