Environmental contamination status of norovirus outbreaks in schools and nurseries in Linhai City
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025121
- VernacularTitle:临海市学校与托幼机构诺如病毒疫情时外环境污染状况
- Author:
ZHENG Jianjun, WANG Xi，HONG Danyang, LI Yaling, XU Qiumeng, ZHANG Huili, HAN Qian, LU Da, ZHENG Qiao
1
Author Information
1. Department for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control，Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Linhai City, Linhai (317000) , Zhejiang Province, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Child day care centers;
Enterovirus infections;
Disease outbreaks;
Environment;
Student health services
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2025;46(4):601-603
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the environmental contamination of norovirus in nurseries and primary/secondary schools, so as to provide a scientific basis for effective prevention and control measures.
Methods:A total of 483 external environmental samples were collected from 34 cluster outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools in Linhai City from 2021 to 2024. Pathogen detection was conducted using a rapid nucleic acid extraction kit and realtime fluorescence RT-PCR, and the results were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fishers exact test.
Results:Among the collected external environmental samples, the total positive rate of surface contamination was 13.66%. The positive rates in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools were 12.20% and 15.82%, respectively. In kindergartens, the five surfaces with the highest detection rates were desks/chairs (23.33%), toilet stool troughs (20.69%), urinal troughs (12.00%), washbasins/sinks (11.11%), and toilet mops (9.38%). In primary/secondary schools, the top five were toilet stool troughs (38.30%), urinal troughs (23.53%), toilet door handles (13.04%), toilet mops (12.50%), and drinking cups (11.11%). The difference in positive detection rates among different external environments in primary/secondary schools was statistically significant (Fishers exact probability test, P<0.01). The positive detection rate in sanitary toilets was higher than that in classroom environments (χ2=17.38), while the positive detection rate in classroom environments of kindergartens was higher than that in primary/secondary schools (χ2=5.42)(P<0.05).
Conclusions:Norovirus exhibits a high contamination rate in nurseries and schools, particularly in restroom areas. Strengthening sanitation and disinfection in highrisk environments, and improving hygiene awareness among children and staff, are essential for the effective prevent and control of norovirus.
