Nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis in a neonatal nursery.

A NEWLY recognised virus has recently been seen in duodenal mucosa from children with acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis (Bishop et al, 1973). Subsequently, Flewett, Bryden and Davies (1973) found the virus in negatively stained faecal extracts. Similar viruses have since been detected throughout the world and there is convincing evidence that this virus, provisionally called rotavirus, is an important aetiological agent in acute childhood gastroenteritis. We describe a hospital acquired (nosocomial) outbreak of infective diarrhoea in a newborn maternity unit. This is the first report of a rotavirus outbreak in Ireland.