Control of Norovirus Outbreaks

Following a number of outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting in Norfolk schools in October, the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Health Protection Unit has issued specific guidance on control of norovirus outbreaks. This guidance supersedes advice contained in the recent management information sheet, MI 176/08.

This new guidance is intended to raise schools' awareness of the risks norovirus poses and increase their preparedness to deal with outbreaks promptly and effectively if they occur.

Schools should note that one of the recommended routine controls is 'regular (daily) toilet cleaning with bleach solution'. For many years schools have mistakenly believed that bleach has been banned in Norfolk County Council establishments. The use of bleach does need to be controlled and Norfolk County Services have not routinely used bleach prior to now because there are other substances that react strongly when mixed with it, but use of bleach is essential in combating norovirus infection.

The standard specification for school cleaning will be revised to make this Health Protection Unit requirement explicit and other cleaning contractors will be informed of the need to revise their cleaning specifications to include use of bleach for routine toilet cleaning to combat norovirus.

Actions

Schools should ensure that the measures to combat the risk of norovirus are taken immediately and built in to day to day routines.