An experimental vaccine shows good signs of progress for protecting people against the nasty norovirus also known as gastrointestinal illness. This virus is known for causing outbreaks of diarrhea and vomiting, in closed environments such as cruise ships and nursing homes.
The vacine research is in early stage and much more testing is needed. In a study of about 75 healthy adults proved safe and stimulated an immune response to the virus.
In United States 21 million cases of stomach flu are reported each year and norovirus is responsible for about half of all outbreaks from contaminated water or food.
John Treanor, MD, chief of the infectious diseases division at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York said "You really can't do anything while it runs its course,"
This is not the first time scientist try to discover vaccine against norovirus. Last year there was a research with nasal spray injected in 90 volunteers, but showed only partial success since one third of them developed GI symptoms.
Treanor says. Researchers believe that may be because there are multiple genetic strains of norovirus. The nasal vaccine only worked against one of them.
The new vaccine, works against two, resulting in a cross-reaction that provides added protection.
The research was presented at the annual infectious diseases meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
If the research proves to be success once for all cruise lines can get rid of this virus by vaccinating all crew, for passengers this will probably be optional.
