Infectious diarrhea epidemics caused by norovirus and its control strategy in China

Objective To provide evidence for the updating of nororvirus infection prevention and control guideline and strengthen norovirus infection surveillance and outbreak control in China. Methods Outbreak data of other infectious diarrhea reported during 2006-2013 and incidence data of viral diarrhea reported during 2006-2012 were collected from national public emergency reporting system and national viral diarrhea surveillance system respectively and norovirus prevention and control guidelines and related literatures published both at home and abroad were also collected to understand the incidence pattern, etiological characteristics and risk factors of norovirus infection and the problems in norovirus surveillance in China and compare our guideline with other countries' guidelines. Results A total of 56 infectious diarrhea outbreaks caused by norovirus, involving 4979 cases, were reported in China from 2006 to 2013, averagely 89 cases occurred in an outbreak. Norovirus type GⅠand GⅡwere detected. Norovirus detection rate in children hospitalized of norovirus infection in sentinel surveillance hospitals increased from 11.2% in 2007 to 20.3% in 2011, but it was 15.3% in 2012. Conclusion The numbers of norovirus infection outbreaks and hospitalized cases are in increase in China. It is necessary to improve the sensitivity of outbreak surveillance. The norovirus infection prevention and control measures recommended in this paper might be useful in the prevention and control of norovirus infection in China and for updating the related guideline.