Norovirus identified as a cause

After large numbers of childhood infections in debt and day care: in some patients, norovirus could be identified as a cause

30/09/2012

The search for the cause of the disease, which now numbers around 3,800 gastrointestinal diseases in children, teachers and caregivers, is still in full swing. Health authorities said that the dangerous norovirus could be confirmed as a cause in a total of 23 children.

In some cases of mass diarrheal diseases in the eastern federal states could be diagnosed in 23 children, the Norovirus as the cause. There are 16 patient cases in Saxony and seven in Thuringia. It remains unclear whether noroviruses are responsible for the now 8300 patients.

Final assessment can not yet be delivered
A final explanation of the cause can not be given yet. „It is too early for such a determination“, said a spokesman for the Dresden Ministry of Social Affairs. „We still do not know what the cause is. Additional stool and food samples must be taken and examined in the laboratory“. In Saxony alone, 2800 patients were reported by Friday evening, suffering from abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting (enteritis). The authorities in Thuringia assume that other causes could be possible. The Berlin Senate spoke in this context at the beginning of the weekend of „poisonous bacteria“. Thus, not only viruses could be the cause.

The Thuringian Ministry of Health explained that in 27 patients in samples the norovirus was detected. „It can not be said yet that it was this or that cause“, such a ministry spokesman. By Friday, the authorities in Thuringia reported 887 gastrointestinal diseases in children and some pedagogues.

Evidence turns out to be difficult
Evidence is difficult because of the „Peak of the diseases is exceeded“, as medics of the federation and the countries on Saturday said. The at the end of the week jumped incidence of new disease rates were not due to the fact that more children and carers were ill. Much more „are the increased numbers late registrations of the state authorities“.

In the majority of reported cases, the infectious disease was without major complications. Only a few children had to be hospitalized and treated in hospital. Most patients suffered from severe diarrhea and vomiting. In Norovirus infection, the disease symptoms healed at the latest after three days. Due to the large fluid loss, dehydration may occur, so parents of affected children are encouraged to ensure adequate fluid balance in the children. „The best is unsweetened tea or water“, so Dr. Friedrich Raimund. That was rarely the case. Wearing a mask is important to protect yourself from infection. "Contaminated areas such as vomit should be cleaned after applying a mouth and nose protection, targeted disinfectant," said the pediatrician.

Norovirus is highly contagious
Norovirus disease is highly contagious. Especially children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases are often affected, which is why an outbreak usually happens in day care centers, schools, clinics and geriatric care facilities. Noroviruses are widespread throughout the world and are also among the most common pathogens of infectious gastroenteritis in Germany.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin did not want to confirm the cause of noroviruses as a cause until the weekend and therefore did not yet give a final assessment. „Not every lab result needs to be commented“, said the spokeswoman of the institute, Susanne Glasmacher. Upon request, Holger Eichele, spokesman for the Federal Consumer Protection Ministry referred to information provided by the RKI. For medical matters and evaluations, the RKI is responsible. The Ministry is responsible for the area of ​​food testing.

Since Tuesday, thousands of cases of illnesses have been reported by children, adolescents and some teachers and kindergarten teachers from the federal states of Thuringia, Saxony, Brandenburg and Berlin. The media figures vary between 6700 and over 8000 cases. The RKI suspects a context between the delivered food in schools and kindergartens, since all affected facilities were supplied by the same company.

Food supplier rejects possible fault
The supplier „Sodexo“, which operates several locations nationwide, has rejected any responsibility. According to the food supplier „are currently conducting investigations of food and delivery routes“. All documents were sent to the authorities „provided completely“, as stated in a statement on the producer's website. „The increased hygiene measures remain in force unchanged.“ However, at the request of the competent authorities was „set the delivery of some kitchens“. Nevertheless, so the company, give it „no evidence of a connection between the diseases and the food deliveries“. Some media in Berlin also report cases of illness that occurred in schools where other food suppliers took over the supply. An update of the notification takes place after the announcement of laboratory results by the authorities. (Sb)

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Picture: Aka