Investigation and management of an outbreak of norovirus acute gastroenteritis

OBJECTIVE To investigate the causes of a hospital-associated outbreak of norovirus acute gastroenteritis and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment measures.

METHODS In Feb. 2025, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University conducted an epidemiological investigation to analyze the causes and assess the effectiveness of treatment measures for a hospital-associated outbreak of norovirus acute gastroenteritis in a specialized intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital.

RESULTS Within 7 days (from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14, 2025), 19 cases of acute gastroenteritis were confirmed in the specialized ICU, including both hospitalized patients and healthcare workers, with attack rates of 35.48% and 25.00%, respectively. Laboratory testing and epidemiological investigation confirmed that the outbreak was caused by hospital-associated infection of norovirus GⅡ. Timely and effective control was achieved through enhanced disinfection, case isolation, standard precautions, health education and public communication management.

CONCLUSIONS This hospital-associated outbreak of acute gastroenteritis is caused by norovirus GⅡ, and the on-site treatment measures are timely and effective, rapidly controlling the epidemic situation, providing valuable experience for future hospital-associated infection prevention and control.