Norovirus
Updated	11/16/2010
Other Names	Norwalk-like Virus; Noro PCR; Norovirus RT-PCR
How to Order	Check the “Norovirus” box under the “Other” heading on the Virology/Immunology Request (form 42)
Availability	Outbreaks only with approval from the Acute and Communicable Disease and Epidemiology Program
Methodology	Real-Time Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction
Performed	As needed based on outbreak volume
Time to Reporting	1-7 working days after receipt of specimen
CPT Code	87798 x2

Specimen Collection Details
Collection	Human stool in a clean, screw-top plastic container.
Optimal Volume	2 mL or a “walnut-sized” amount
Minimum Volume	1 mL or a “pea-sized” amount
Handling	Refrigerate at 2-8°
Transport	Refrigerated as soon as possible after collection
Rejection Criteria	Leaking or improperly labeled specimens or specimens submitted without an assigned outbreak number
Comments	Norovirus is the major cause of viral gastroenteritis. Also known as Norwalk-like virus, there are two distinct genogroups, group I and group II, of which group II is the most frequently circulating in Oregon.

Norovirus