Sanidad Activates Protocol in Oleiros Nursing Home After Detecting Second Outbreak with Multiple Cases

A second outbreak of norovirus has been confirmed in a nursing home in Oleiros, La Coruña, prompting health authorities to activate the epidemiological protocol after detecting multiple cases among residents and staff.

The Sanidad department activated its outbreak response protocol in the Oleiros residence following laboratory confirmation of norovirus GII.17 genotype in several samples. This marks the second such outbreak reported in the facility, with health officials noting a rapid increase in cases during the initial 48 hours of the outbreak.

Symptoms reported among affected individuals included vomiting and diarrhoea, consistent with acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus. Clinical improvement was observed in most cases within 72 hours, and no deaths were recorded during the outbreak period.

Health authorities emphasized that person-to-person transmission was the most likely route of spread, after ruling out food contamination as a source. The outbreak extended over 16 days, with cases peaking early before declining progressively.

In total, 114 cases were identified during the outbreak, comprising 99 residents and 15 workers, resulting in an overall attack rate of 30.8%. Among staff, the attack rate was 12.7%.

Virological testing confirmed the presence of norovirus genogroup GII, with the Centro Nacional de Microbiología (CNM) detecting genotype GII.17 [P17] in six out of eight samples submitted for sequencing. This genotype has been identified as an emerging strain associated with widespread dissemination in nursing home settings over the past decade.

The activation of the epidemiological protocol included enhanced infection prevention and control measures, though specific details of the interventions were not disclosed in the available reports. Health officials continue to monitor the situation to prevent further transmission.