Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie
Volume 55, Issue 10, 2017, Pages 997-1003

Norovirus outbreaks in German refugee camps in 2015 (Article)

Grote U. , Schleenvoigt B.T. , Happle C. , Dopfer C. , Wetzke M. , Ahrenstorf G. , Holst H. , Pletz M.W. , Schmidt R.E. , Behrens G.M. , Jablonka A.*
  • a Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
  • b Center for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
  • c Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
  • d Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
  • e Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
  • f Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strae 1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany, German Center for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
  • g Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strae 1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany, German Center for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
  • h Center for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
  • i Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strae 1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany, German Center for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
  • j Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strae 1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany, German Center for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
  • k Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strae 1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany, German Center for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany

Abstract

Purpose Refugees often live in confined housing conditions with shared kitchen and sanitary facilities, rendering susceptible to communicable diseases. We here describe the outbreak, spread and self-limiting nature of a norovirus outbreak in a German refugee camp in the winter of 2015. Methods During a norovirus outbreak, data on clinical symptoms, nationality and living conditions was obtained in a refugee camp in northern Germany in the winter of 2015. Furthermore secondary data on norovirus outbreaks in 2015 was assessed. Results Amongst n=982 refugees, n=36 patients (3.7%) presented with acute norovirus gastroenteritis. The vast majority of cases were children, only the first patient was admitted to the hospital. Intensified hygiene measures were implemented on day 2 of the outbreak, but new cases peaked on day 21 and occurred until one month after the first case. Different cultural backgrounds, eating habits and hygiene standards amongst the refugees made it particularly challenging to implement stringent isolation and hygiene measures. Despite these predisposing factors, only minor norovirus outbreaks were reported in refugee camps in 2015. Conclusion Adults refugees had a low attack rate of symptomatic norovirus infection, while small children are at high risk. Infection spreads despite hygiene measures and camp sites and staff should be prepared for the particular challenges of such situations with a particular focus on cultural-background specific implementation of hygiene measures. © 2017 Georg Thieme Verlag KG.Stuttgart.New York.

Author Keywords

noro gastroenteritis Norwalk Diarrhea Asylum seeker Refugee

Index Keywords

education Germany viral gastroenteritis acute gastroenteritis human sex difference middle aged statistics and numerical data Caliciviridae Infections calicivirus infection norovirus infection Norovirus decontamination hand sanitizer Cultural Competency cultural competence hygiene Young Adult school child hand washing Humans Adolescent male preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool clinical article refugee camp Refugee Camps standards Disease Outbreaks Article epidemic adult bath ethnicity Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85031318715&doi=10.1055%2fs-0043-109701&partnerID=40&md5=0df835a156fce2fc7a79035981de5111
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-109701
ISSN: 00442771
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English