Increased norovirus activity in Scotland in 2012 is associated with the emergence of a new norovirus GII.4 variant

Abstract

To the editor: Since late 2012, Scotland has seen a significant increase in norovirus activity and the norovirus season began earlier than usual [1]. The article by van Beek et al. published in last week’s issue of Eurosurveillance described the emergence of a new variant of norovirus GII.4 (Sydney strain) in a number of countries [2]. To examine whether this was also the case in Scotland, we examined representative samples from norovirus outbreaks in hospitals submitted to the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre (WoSSVC) in Glasgow between 8 and 20 November 2012. This time period was chosen as it was after the point when the increased norovirus activity was first reported by Health Protection Scotland [1].