Guidelines for the management of norovirus outbreaks in acute and community health and social care settings

This guidance gives recommendations on the management of outbreaks of vomiting and/or diarrhoea in hospitals and community health and social care settings, including nursing and residential homes. They are not specifically intended to cover schools, colleges, prisons, military establishments, hotels or shipping although there will be some generalisable principles that will be of use in managing outbreaks in those institutions. There are other causes of vomiting and/or diarrhoea outbreaks and the guidance will apply to all viral gastroenteritides. However, the principal and most common cause of such outbreaks is norovirus which is one of the most infective agents seen in health and social care establishments (1) and the title reflects this. Food borne norovirus outbreaks require investigation and management according to other appropriate guidance and procedures. The scope is derived from the outcome of a Department of Health workshop held on 16 July 2010 and attended by representatives from a wide range of stakeholders including the partner organisations involved in the production of these guidelines.