Hospital hit by bug that infected British soldiers serving in Afghanistan

May 28, 2002

gi?a0642_BC_Britain-HospitalBug & & news & newsflash-international

The Associated Press

5/27/02 6:11 PM

LONDON (AP) -- More than 100 people at a London hospital have been struck by

the same type of virus that infected British soldiers serving in

Afghanistan.

The virus, which causes diarrhea and vomiting, is an increasingly common

cause of food poisoning or gastroenteritis cases seen in schools,

institutions or other communities, including hospitals.

Although gastroenteritis is caused by a number of viruses, experts estimate

that Norwalk viruses are responsible for about one-third of cases after the

age of 2.

At Whipps Cross Hospital in east London, 63 patients and 38 staff have been

struck by a Norwalk-like virus. The first case was confirmed last week and

the sick have been isolated and new admissions restricted.

Earlier this month 38 British marines serving in Afghanistan and connected

to a field hospital got sick -- some severely -- and health officials later

identified that in 25 of them, the illness had been caused by a Norwalk-like

virus. The rest of the soldiers had been struck by more common tummy bugs.

There are several Norwalk-like viruses. It is unknown whether the one which

struck the London hospital is the same as the one that hit the soldiers.

The viruses, found worldwide, do not usually cause severe illness. Symptoms

seen in Afghanistan were more severe than usual, probably accentuated by the

country's heat, defense medical experts have said.

Norwalk-like viruses usually surface as sporadic outbreaks. Mostly, illness

is a result of unhygienic food preparation or contamination of water with

sewage.

Recommended Posts