摘要：We report on three nursing home outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Brisbane in 1999. The presence of Norwalk-likevirus (NLV) genogroup 2 was demonstrated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in allthree outbreaks. Common findings of these investigations were rapid spread of the illness within the institutionsand difficulties in identifying a common source. Nursing home populations are vulnerable and it is important foreach institution to have infection control policies in place so outbreaks can be managed promptly. This includes theexclusion of ill staff for 48 to 72 hours after recovery from illness. Genogrouping of NLV by RT-PCR can takeseveral days so control measures will generally have to be instituted before results become available. Commun Dis
关键词：disease outbreaks; Norwalk-like virus; small round structured virus; gastroenteritis;nursing homes; polymerase chain reaction; infection control
