Norovirus Disease Essay

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I. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Health and Economic Burdens of Norovirus Disease – The health burden of foodborne norovirus is significant (Painter et al., 2013). Norovirus causes a significant morbidity in terms of the number of outbreaks and associated illnesses each year in the United States. Hall et al. (2013) analyzed surveillance data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and derived estimates for AGE (acute gastroenteritis) associated with norovirus and found that about 19 to 21 million AGE illnesses, 400,000 emergency room visits, 1.7 to 1.9 million outpatient visits, 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations, and 570 to 800 deaths are caused by norovirus disease (Hall et al., 2013). ). There is an estimated 1 million pediatric cases requiring health provider intervention, 1 out of 14 children will require emergency room intervention and 1 out of every 6 children will require outpatient intervention (Wikswo & Hall, 2012; Hall et al., 2013). Norovirus is a major cause of morbidity for the general population. Children, the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems and co-morbidities (McCabe-Sellers & Beatte, 2004) are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the virus. The economic burden of foodborne norovirus is significant (Painter et al., 2013). Researchers examined 14 foodborne pathogens that account for 95% of all confirmed foodborne illnesses and associated hospitalizations and 98% of deaths in the United States. One of the 14 pathogens evaluated was norovirus. On an annual basis, norovirus-associated hospitalizations are estimated to cost about $500 million (Batz et al., 2011; Bartsch et al, 2012). Healthcare costs and losses in productivity cost about $2 billion and results in the loss of 5,000 Q... ... middle of paper ... ...o measure both health and economic outcomes associated with the standard health strategy or status quo of no norovirus vaccination program and the alternative health strategy of implementation of a norovirus vaccination program. • Estimate the total cost expenditures (direct medical and non-medical) associated with the standard health strategy or status quo of no norovirus vaccination program (treatment of disease). • Estimate the total program cost expenditures and savings (program costs) associated with implementation of a norovirus vaccination program. Specific Aim 2: To estimate the effectiveness (in terms of QALYs) of implementation of a norovirus vaccination program. Specific Aim 3: To calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios based on varying vaccine efficacies. Specific Aim 4: To conduct sensitivity analysis varying parameters such as efficacy.

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