Viral gastrointestinal outbreaks in residential care facilities: an examination of the value of public health unit involvement

To evaluate the value of notification to public health units (PHUs) in the management of viral gastrointestinal outbreaks in residential care facilities (RCFs) in Queensland. Routine outbreak characteristics and control measures were collected at notification and conclusion of outbreaks notified between May and August 2008. This was supplemented with detailed interviews with RCFs and PHUs, including perceptions of the value of the RCF‐PHU interaction. Norovirus was the confirmed aetiological agent in 39 (68%) of 60 outbreaks. A significant association was found between increased outbreak duration and longer (≥4 days) time to outbreak notification (p