NORWALK INFORMATION

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Picture of cruise ship with the AHP logo

A Guide to the Laboratory Investigation of Gastrointestinal Disease Outbreaks (273 KB): BCCDC Laboratory Services
The purpose of the guide is to ensure efficient coordination of outbreak laboratoryi investigation. It includes ready reference guidelines for public health officials in the event of gastrointestinal GI) disease outbreaks. It defines roles of the BCCDC Laboratory Services and of the Health Units and Health Care Workers in thei nvestigation an outbreak.
A Norwalk Nightmare (298 KB): Sanitation Canada
AHP successful against Norwalk outbreak on cruise ships (51 KB): Virox Technologies Inc.
Excerpt:“In August Health Canada approved the use of AHP as an alternative for the decontamination of surfaces in a Norwalk virus outbreak. This allowed the ship’s staff to decontaminate surfaces safely that would have been otherwise damaged by using a bleach solution. ”
All Hands off Deck! A Hands-On Guide to Fighting a Shipboard Norovirus: Frommer's
Excerpt:“"ship will be undergoing a daily cleaning regimen with a special hydrogen peroxide-based product called Virox 5, that kills germs"”
Bug Fighter Battles Back (87 KB): Toronto Star
Cleaning up after Norovirus: Chris Hamlyn
Excerpt:“Cleaners have been busy at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, trying to keep ahead of an outbreak of Norovirus ”
Cruise Ships are Proactively Fighting the Norovirus War (162 KB): Cruise Trade, April 2007
Even though the cruise industry has a far lower incidence of the norovirus than land-based facilities, such as schools and nursing homes, the media and the public still persist in calling the disease “the cruise ship virus.” This is mainly because ships are required to report illness affecting even only 2% of the people on board — something hotels and resorts aren’t required to do — which has brought cruising undeserved notoriety.
Excerpt:“Several cruise lines swear by Virox, an accelerated hydrogen peroxide base formulation. Hart Sugarman, Holland America Line corporate executive housekeeper, said the line has been using Virox 5 since 2001.”
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a 0.5% Formulation of Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP5) Against Human Rhino Virus Type 14, a Feline Calicivirus and a Human Rotavirus (117 KB): Syed A. Sattar, M.Sc., Dip. Bact., M.S., Ph.D., RM (CCM)
Excerpt:“AHP (Virox 5, Percept, Accel, Peroxigard) was able to bring a >3Log reduction in the viability titre of Human Rhinovirus, Feline Calicivirus, and Human Rotavirus” pg. 5 & 6
Gastrointestinal Illness Surveillance System (273 KB): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The following forms are provided as guides to standardize the collection of information required to assess the patterns of gastrointestinal illnesses and monitor for outbreaks aboard vessels. These forms are downloadable at the Vessel Sanitation Program website: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp
Management of a Norwalk-Like Virus Outbreak (442 KB): Dr. Michael Gardam, Director, Infection Prevention and Control, University Health Network
Excerpt:“AHP brings has a 4Log reduction against Feline Calicivirus with a 5 minute contact time" ” pg. 2, Slide 9
Norovirus: Brett Mitchell, Masters Adv.Practice (Infection Control); Dip.Tropical Nursing; "Bachelor of Nursing; Post.Grad.Dip.Mod.Teaching & Assessing; Cert.Healthcare Management" Senior Nurse Manager Infection Control, North Glamorgan NHS Trust, Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Excerpt:“Norovirus is a highly infectious virus which causes gastroenteritis in humans. The high infectivity rate causes rapid spread within the population and particularly in close environments such as hospitals.”
Norwalk-Like Viruses Decontamination Guidelines for Environmental Services (157 KB): Virox Technologies Inc.
This document has been developed in accordance with current applicable infection control and regulatory guidelines. It is intended for use as a guideline only.
Schools latest casualty of fast-moving virus (68 KB): Toronto Star
Scientific Solutions To The Norwalk Problem (516 KB): Syed A. Sattar, Ph.D. Professor of Microbiology Centre for Research in Environmental Microbiology (CREM) Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa.
Excerpt:“AHP named as an effective disinfectant against the Feline Calicivirus ” pg. 8 slide 2
Some Disinfectants Effective Against Feline Calicivirus (as a surrogate for Norovirus) (34 KB): Syed A. Sattar, Ph.D. Professor of Microbiology Centre for Research in Environmental Microbiology (CREM) and Robert E. Wheeler, MD, FACEP
Excerpt:“A Log10 reduction of 4 (99.99%) or greater is considered adequate for FCV/Norovirus disinfection. Products listed as non-toxic may still cause mild eye and/or skin irritation in some people. Some compounds may leave a surfactant residue on various surfaces. When selecting a disinfectant, it’s important to consider the product’s entire formulation since there may be significant disinfectant action synergism produced by the specific combination of ingredients.”
Strategies for Norovirus Infection Control Aboard Cruise Ships - Power Point Presentation (1.26 MB): Robert E. Wheeler, MD, FACEP
Excerpt:“"AHP named as a disinfectant with proven efficacy against Norovirus" slides 35&37 ” pg. 6, Slide 35 & 37
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists AHP for use against Norwalk Virus": The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This report describes five of the norovirus outbreaks that occurred during July 1--December 2, 2002, on cruise ships.
Updated Infection Control Measures for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in Health-Care Facilities: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This document provides general guidance for prevention and control of influenza transmission in acute care facilities. Links to recommendations for the 2007-08 influenza season are provided.
Vessel Sanitation Inspection Report (72 KB): CDC
Viral Gastroenteritis Outbreak Guidelines For Community Living Facilities (PDF doc) (586 KB): Washoe County District Health Department
Washed Away? Not Yet. (1.20 MB): Anne Kalosh
Excerpt:“Personally, he favours Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide because ‘it meets all criteria I look for, is versatile, priced affordably and safe to use. ‘Widely used shoreside in Canada, AHP is highly effective against norovirus and is expected to gain approval as a disinfectant by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2005.” pg. 2