HOSPITAL OUTBREAK OF NORWALK-LIKE VIRUS

An outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Norwalk-like virus occurred i n two areas of the hospital: area 1, consisting of three adjacent and interconnected wards, with mostly elderly patients; and area 2, an acu te ward in a separate building with elderly patients. In area 1, 40 pa tients and 20 staff were affected; in area 2, 18 patients and 14 staff were affected. Infection control measures were instituted in consulta tion with the government health authority. These measures did not appe ar to affect the course of the outbreak, but may have prevented spread to other wards (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1997; 18:576-579).