Outbreak of Norovirus Infection in the Hematology Department of a Children's Multidisciplinary Hospital

Relevance. Noroviruses are currently considered the most common cause of sporadic cases and community-acquired outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide [1]. However, outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are also often caused by norovirus etiology [2], including in the Russian Federation [3].Aim. Analysis of key aspects of prevention and anti-epidemic measures against norovirus infection (NVI) in the hematology department.Materials and methods. The following epidemiological research methods were used: descriptive (intensity, dynamics, spatial characteristics of the NVI outbreak); analytical – longitudinal cohort study of the epidemic process of HAI – assessment of hypotheses about the causes and conditions, risk factors and routes of transmission of norovirus among patients and caregivers in the oncohematology department of the children's multidisciplinary hospital.Results and discussion. An outbreak of acute norovirus gastroenteritis of an imported nature was identified in the oncohematology department of a children's multidisciplinary hospital in February 2023, an analysis of the spread of NVI was carried out: the presumed source and mechanism of transmission of norovirus infection was established; the chronology of the spread of norovirus among patients and their caregivers is shown, a list of anti-epidemic measures taken to stop the outbreak is presented, and the difficulties of verifying the epidemiological diagnosis of HAI are reflected (based on the efficiency of laboratory testing of material from patients).Conclusion. Based on the results of the activities carried out, recommendations were proposed for improving preventive and anti-epidemic measures for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children's oncohematology departments.