Norovirus

Norovirus

News: The Kerala Health Department recently confirmed two cases of the gastrointestinal infection norovirus in class 1 students in Ernakulam district.

What is Norovirus?
• Norovirus is not new; it has been circulating among humans for over 50 years and is thought to be one of the primary causes of gastroenteritis. 
• The virus is capable of surviving low temperatures, and outbreaks tend to be more common during the winter and in colder countries — that is why it is sometimes referred to as “winter vomiting disease”. 
Can norovirus infection cause a large-scale outbreak?
• No. Even though more cases of norovirus are being detected, experts say that this is unlikely to lead to a large-scale outbreak. 

What are its symptoms and how to prevent its spread?
• Norovirus leads to diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. Being a diarrhoeal disease, it can lead to dehydration, so drinking plenty of fluids is recommended. 
• The infection can be transmitted through foods contaminated with the virus, touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, and being in direct contact with someone with the infection like taking care of them and sharing foods and utensils with them. 
• Good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent infection.