Wave of infection due to new Norovirus variant

New variant of the diarrheal pathogens cause increase in norovirus infections

01/07/2013

Monitoring systems around the world showed an increase in norovirus activity in late 2012, according to the latest release in the EU Science Magazine „euro Surveillance“ with reference to the data of the „NoroNet“-Network. The increase in norovirus infections is essentially on „the emergence of a new norovirus genotype II.4“ back that as „Sydney 2012“ referred to as. The National Health Authorities are encouraged to prepare for a particularly severe norovirus season.

In the UK, the Netherlands and Japan, the „epidemiological and laboratory surveillance systems at the end of 2012 increased norovirus activity compared to previous years“, reports the science magazine. Similarly, increases in norovirus infections have been found in Australia, France and New Zealand. Here is a new form of the Brechdurchfall pathogens by name „Sydney 2012“ significantly involved in the increase in norovirus infections, experts explain. The mutated noroviruses are even more aggressive than the previous variants and could cause a particularly severe norovirus season. Due to the altered characteristics of the pathogen, the experts assume that fewer people are against the „Sydney 2012“-Noroviruses are immune to as compared to previous Norovirusvarianten.

Particularly heavy norovirus season is expected
„The first molecular data from the international molecular monitoring database NoroNet from Australia, France, New Zealand and Japan show that the increase in norovirus infections „associated with the appearance of a new variant of genotype II.4 (GII.4)“, reported „euro Surveillance“. As an informal network of scientists from national health authorities and universities collects and disseminates „NoroNet“ all virological, epidemiological and molecular biological data on Norovirus. According to the experts, a particularly serious wave of infection is expected for the winter of 2012/2013. The number of diseases reported by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for the year 2012 of around 100,000 norovirus infections could be significantly exceeded this year. In any case, norovirus infections have, according to the RKI in recent years „confirmed as the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis outbreaks.“ Norovirus infections affect all age groups and, especially in the winter months, are often the cause of group illnesses with numerous people living in community facilities such as kindergartens, schools, nursing homes and hospitals, according to the RKI.

Norovirus infection cause of diarrhea
Typical symptoms of Norovirus infection include sudden diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Also headaches, muscle and limb pain are often an expression of norovirus infection. Due to the massive fluid loss associated with the disease, the patient is at risk of dehydration (dehydration), which at worst can be life-threatening. (Fp)

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