Norovirus GI/GII (PCR)

Stool or stomach contents

Noroviruses are the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis. They are responsible for 30 % of enteritis in older children and for up to 50 % of enteritis in adults. Genotypes GG1 and GG2 are significant human pathogens and occur worldwide.

There is a seasonal accumulation of norovirus illnesses in the winter months. Noroviruses are a frequent cause of outbreaks in community facilities such as day-care centres, old people's homes and hospitals.
The route of infection is faecal-oral, for example via contaminated food and drink. Transmission can also occur through aerosol formation during vomiting.
This virus has a very high infectivity, with 10-100 virus particles being enough to infect a person.

Sick staff of homes, hospitals and schools may return to work at the earliest 24 hours after the last diarrhoea/vomiting.