This study investigated the presence of adenovirus and norovirus on ward surfaces
using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assist in the development of evidence-based
infection control policy. Screening was carried out weekly for 6 months in the common
areas of 2 pediatric wards. Additionally, a one-off screening was undertaken for adenovirus
and norovirus on a day unit and for adenovirus only in patient cubicles while occupied.
Over the 6-month screening of common areas, 2.4% of samples were positive for adenovirus
or norovirus. In rooms occupied with adenovirus-infected children, all cubicle screening
sites and almost all swabs were contaminated with adenovirus. In the day unit, 13%
of samples were positive. Cleaning and environmental interaction strategies must therefore
be designed to control nosocomial transmission of viruses outside of outbreak scenarios.
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Article info
Footnotes
This research was funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grant no. EP/G029881/1). Cloutman-Green received funding from the National Institute of Health Research (grant no. HCSD10).
Conflict of interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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