Treyfish
Moderator
Mutant bug will keep on biting</HEADLINE>
The combination of a new strain of norovirus and increased susceptibility due to this year's severe influenza season has caused scores of outbreaks across NSW.
There were 63 outbreaks affecting 44 nursing homes and 11 hospitals last month, with some forced to close wards to new patients and visitors.
Molecular virologist Peter White, from the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science at the University of NSW predicted the virus, identified as norovirus 2006b, would continue until November.
"We are one month into a three-month epidemic," he said.
"The outbreaks are right across Sydney and every hospital south of Brisbane has had at least one outbreak."
Nearly all reported cases of gastroenteritis have been caused by norovirus 2006b, a mutant strain of the virus which swept through the country in 2002.
It has already moved through Europe and is more infectious than previous strains, easily spreading through person-to-person contact, contaminated food and drinks and aerosol particles when an infected person vomits.
NSW Health director of communicable diseases Jeremy McAnulty said cases of gastroenteritis typically increased during colder months.
There had been 149 outbreaks reported this winter, he said, down from the 184 of the same time last year. From May to July there were 99 reported outbreaks, affecting more than 2000 people.
Viral gastroenteritis is a common infection of the stomach and intestines that causes vomiting and diarrhoea lasting about three days.
People in group settings, such as nursing homes, hospitals and child-care centres are most at risk.
There is no treatment except for rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Health authorities warn that personal hygiene is essential in stopping the spread of the virus.:tiphat: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/mutant-bug-will-keep-on-biting/2007/09/08/1188783557290.html
- </BYLINE>
<DATE>September 9, 2007</DATE>
The combination of a new strain of norovirus and increased susceptibility due to this year's severe influenza season has caused scores of outbreaks across NSW.
There were 63 outbreaks affecting 44 nursing homes and 11 hospitals last month, with some forced to close wards to new patients and visitors.
Molecular virologist Peter White, from the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science at the University of NSW predicted the virus, identified as norovirus 2006b, would continue until November.
"We are one month into a three-month epidemic," he said.
"The outbreaks are right across Sydney and every hospital south of Brisbane has had at least one outbreak."
Nearly all reported cases of gastroenteritis have been caused by norovirus 2006b, a mutant strain of the virus which swept through the country in 2002.
It has already moved through Europe and is more infectious than previous strains, easily spreading through person-to-person contact, contaminated food and drinks and aerosol particles when an infected person vomits.
NSW Health director of communicable diseases Jeremy McAnulty said cases of gastroenteritis typically increased during colder months.
There had been 149 outbreaks reported this winter, he said, down from the 184 of the same time last year. From May to July there were 99 reported outbreaks, affecting more than 2000 people.
Viral gastroenteritis is a common infection of the stomach and intestines that causes vomiting and diarrhoea lasting about three days.
People in group settings, such as nursing homes, hospitals and child-care centres are most at risk.
There is no treatment except for rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Health authorities warn that personal hygiene is essential in stopping the spread of the virus.:tiphat: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/mutant-bug-will-keep-on-biting/2007/09/08/1188783557290.html