Norovirus Comes Back to Town

Posted by James Hoskins on March 18, 2010 11:24

My son and I went to a mad scientist birthday party at the weekend, an event notable for some marvellous experiment with eggs, a closely contested game of musical chairs and the arrival of this season’s Norovirus just as the jelly was served.

This little incident prompted me to do a little bit of research on how long you should keep your kids away from school when the winter vomiting bug arrives. A spot of Googling and a visit to the NHS Evidence site led me to a Health Protection Agency’s 2006 “Guidance on Infection Control In Schools and other Child Care Settings” – pdf here. It’s all useful stuff and neatly answers my question:

For Diarrhoea and/or vomiting the recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders is 48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.

I wonder how many parents are aware of this guidance and, of those, how many actually stick to it?

The guide also contains some excellent advice on good hygiene practice which, along with keeping sick children isolated, seems to be the best strategy for keeping the Norovirus in check. This is what the HPA has to say:

• Handwashing is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and vomiting and respiratory disease. The recommended method is the use of liquid soap, water and paper towels. Always wash hands after using the toilet, before eating or handling food, and after handling animals. Cover all cuts and abrasions with water proof dressings.
• Coughing and Sneezing easily spread infections. Children and adults should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue. Wash your hands after using or disposing of tissues. Spitting should be discouraged.
• Cleaning of the environment, including toys and equipment should be frequent, thorough, and follow national guidance e.g. use colour coded equipment, COSHH, correct decontamination of cleaning equipment. Monitor cleaning contracts and ensure cleaners are appropriately trained with access to Personal Protective Equipment PPE.
• Cleaning of blood and body fluid spillages. All spillages of blood, faeces, saliva, vomit, nasal, and eye discharges should be cleaned up immediately (always wear PPE). When spillages occur, clean using a product which combines both a detergent and a disinfectant. Use as per manufacturers instructions and ensure it is effective against bacteria and viruses, and suitable for use on the affected surface. NEVER USE mops for cleaning up blood and body fluid spillages use disposable paper towels and discard clinical waste as described below. A spillage kit should be available for blood spills.
• Personal Protective Clothing (PPE). Disposable non powdered vinyl or latex free CE marked gloves and disposable plastic aprons, must be worn where there is a risk of splashing or contamination with blood/body fluids. (E.g. nappy or pad changing) Goggles should also be available for use if there is a risk of splashing to the face. Correct PPE should be used when handling cleaning chemicals.
• Laundry should be dealt with in a separate dedicated facility. Soiled linen should be washed separately at the hottest wash fabric will tolerate. Wear PPE when handling soiled linen. Soiled children’s clothing should be bagged to go home, never rinse by hand.
• Clinical waste. Always segregate domestic and clinical waste in accordance with local policy. Used nappies/pads, gloves, aprons and soiled dressings should be stored in correct clinical waste bags in foot operated bins. All clinical waste must be removed by a registered waste contractor. All clinical waste bags should be less than 2/3rds full and stored in a dedicated, secure area whilst awaiting collection.