Illnesses traced to a new strain. Key clue found to outbreaks of the norovirus

[Ian David]

By Stephen Smith, Globe Staff | March 10, 2007

Federal scientists have discovered that a new strain of norovirus is responsible for the wave of intense gastrointestinal infections that have overwhelmed hospitals, nursing homes, and college dormitories across New England and the nation this winter.

The finding provides an important clue to the severity and breadth of this season's outbreak, which has alarmed disease specialists because so many adults and children have become so sick. Knowing that few people had previously been exposed to the strain, researchers assume virtually everyone is vulnerable to the germ, which can prove especially dangerous to the frail and elderly.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects to officially report its findings on the new form of the virus in coming weeks .

Genetic fingerprinting shows that the virus infecting patients is distinct and aggressive: When the CDC tested stool specimens from October through December , 60 percent of those patients were positive for the new form of norovirus.

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The federal researchers have christened the strain GII.4 Minerva . Identifying the new strain could prove useful as researchers investigate drugs to treat the viral infection and, potentially, vaccines to prevent contagion, scientists said.

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