Epidemiology and costs associated with norovirus outbreaks in NHS Lothian, Scotland 2007–2009

Economics and financing of vaccines for diarrheal diseases

“…21 Several studies specifically evaluated the cost of various norovirus hospital outbreaks (range: $37 968 to ≤201 690 per outbreak) in developed countries. [22][23][24][25] One study found that over a two year period outbreaks in the United Kingdom cost up to ≤1.2 million. 25 These studies do show wide variation in the cost impact of an outbreak due in part to the wide variety in scope, size, and number of outbreaks but also due to variability in the types of cost included (e.g., interventions, attributable sick leave for staff and overtime salary, cleaning expenses, diagnosis costs), costs of various items and services, and reimbursement policies.…”

“…[22][23][24][25] One study found that over a two year period outbreaks in the United Kingdom cost up to ≤1.2 million. 25 These studies do show wide variation in the cost impact of an outbreak due in part to the wide variety in scope, size, and number of outbreaks but also due to variability in the types of cost included (e.g., interventions, attributable sick leave for staff and overtime salary, cleaning expenses, diagnosis costs), costs of various items and services, and reimbursement policies. Weaknesses of these studies include the generalizablity, as they are specific to the outbreak hospital, some focus only on extra costs and lost revenue, [23][24][25] used a case definition of symptoms only, 22 and small sample size.…”

“…25 These studies do show wide variation in the cost impact of an outbreak due in part to the wide variety in scope, size, and number of outbreaks but also due to variability in the types of cost included (e.g., interventions, attributable sick leave for staff and overtime salary, cleaning expenses, diagnosis costs), costs of various items and services, and reimbursement policies. Weaknesses of these studies include the generalizablity, as they are specific to the outbreak hospital, some focus only on extra costs and lost revenue, [23][24][25] used a case definition of symptoms only, 22 and small sample size. 24 Modeling studies, which may overcome some of these limitations, estimate a case of norovirus to the hospital is an average $6237 26 and provide cost estimates for outbreaks of various sizes in differing size hospital wards.…”

A 3-year-old girl with vomiting and diarrhea

“…5,6 In addition, acute gastroenteritis, especially when caused by viruses, has recently received increasing attention as a nosocomial disease with important morbidity and cost ramifications. [7][8][9] What is your differential diagnosis? What clinical and epidemiological features might suggest some pathogens more strongly than others?…”

Incidence of Hospital Norovirus Outbreaks and Infections Using 2 Surveillance Methods in Sweden

“…7,8 For healthcare facilities the outbreaks result in shortage of available beds, ill staff and economic loss. 6,9 The impact of hospital NoV outbreaks has become more evident in Sweden and other industrialized countries over the last two decades, parallel with the introduction of new virus strains. 10 Now outbreaks are a recurrent challenge to hospitals, 11 especially during the cold winter season when the number of cases and outbreaks peak.…”