Practical Management Of Norovirus Outbreaks - A New One-Day Course From The Royal Institute Of Public Health, Tuesday 13th May 2008, UK

Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Conferences
Article Date: 09 Jan 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis and the HPA estimates that they affect between 600,000 and a million people in the UK each year. Infection can spread rapidly, and as Norovirus outbreaks continue to hit the headlines, the RIPH is pleased to announce it is running the first in a UK-wide programme of one-day courses on Norovirus in May.

The course is designed to provide delegates working in the hospitality industry with the skills needed to recognise the signs of Norovirus infection, and to prevent and manage outbreaks. By the end of the course, delegates will go away equipped with the skills necessary to prepare their own practical infection control strategy. The course will be particularly relevant to occupational health professionals, health and safety practitioners and environmental health officers.

Professor Rodney Cartwright, RIPH Trustee and Medical Adviser to the Federation of Tour Operators comments, "With the continuing difficulties involved in controlling Norovirus outbreaks, the RIPH is pleased to be continuing its educational programme on Norovirus, and this course will complement the three successful conferences we have already run on the issues surrounding this problem. The course will be of specific interest to those responsible for the management of infection in non-clinical outbreak settings such as hotels, cruise ships, health clubs and holiday sites."

The course will cover:

- the clinical features of Norovirus, molecular identification and detection techniques;
- the importance of staff training;
- routine cleaning and product selection;
- procedures for declaring an outbreak;
- managing staff illness;
- reducing person to person spread;
- statistics and theory of hand hygiene (including practical demonstration and training);

Notes :

- The Royal Institute of Public Health was founded in 1886. Based in London, it is a leading independent body with an international reputation dedicated to the promotion, practice and protection of the highest standards of public health.

- It offers a wide range of public health related qualifications delivered through an extensive network of training centres nationwide.

- The Royal Institute enjoys the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen, an honour that has been conferred by the Sovereign continuously since 1897. The Royal Institute is a Registered Charity.

The Royal Institute of Public Health