HPA warns of new norovirus strain

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has highlighted research showing that a new variant of norovirus is at the centre of the recent outbreaks of the disease in England and Wales.

A scientific paper published in Eurosurveillance earlier this month revealed that norovirus genotype G11-4 – which has been dubbed Sydney 2012 after the location where it was first identified – has overtaken all others to become the dominant strain.

It was originally seen in Australia and has also spread to France, New Zealand and Japan, crowding out the circulation of the New Orleans 2009 version of the disease in recent weeks.

However, the HPA offered assurances that Sydney 2012 does not cause more serious illness than any other strain and can be managed through better hygiene and handwashing practices, as well as keeping hydrated.

Dr David Brown, director of the virology reference department at the HPA, said: "There is no specific treatment for norovirus infection other than to let the illness take its course, with symptoms usually lasting around two days."

As of January 8th 2013, there have been 4,140 laboratory confirmed cases of norovirus this season, which is 63 per cent higher than the number of instances reported at this point last year.