Story Highlights : Norovirus, is a common widespread virus but not related to the flu and is the most prevalent cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne disease
Norovirus Outbreak In Kerala
Recently, 19 students at a school in the district of Ernakulam, Kerala, India’s southern state have reportedly contracted the norovirus, sparking an outbreak there. Following the outbreak of the highly contagious gastrointestinal zoonotic illness, the school has switched to online classes for students.
Two samples were sent to the State Public Laboratory for testing after 62 students and a few parents at the school displayed symptoms. Following their positive results, 17 additional cases were confirmed.
The state has recorded a norovirus outbreak for the second time. Last year, two children in Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram contracted the same virus.
What Is Norovirus?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Norovirus is a viral infection that is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide and its symptoms include severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Norovirus is responsible for around one in every five cases of acute gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach or intestines that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
The norovirus also referred to as the “winter vomiting bug” or the “stomach flu,” is a very contagious virus that can infect and make people ill at any age. But norovirus illness has nothing to do with the flu, which is brought on by an influenza virus.
The norovirus can survive both low (freezing temperature) and high temperatures (up to 60 degrees Celsius) and is resistant to a wide variety of disinfectants too.
Causes Of Norovirus
Recent data indicate that norovirus infection is linked to intestinal inflammation, and malnourishment, and may result in long-term morbidity.
You can contract norovirus by inadvertently ingesting minuscule amounts of vomit or feces from an infected person at the time of direct contact with a person who has the norovirus, such as while giving them care, sharing food, or using the same eating utensils as them.
The norovirus spreads quickly and readily. Numerous billions of virus particles are excreted by norovirus patients in their stool and vomit, making them highly contagious. You only need a very small number (less than 100) of norovirus particles to become ill.
Symptoms Of Norovirus
Vomiting and/or diarrhea are the first norovirus symptoms to show up, and they usually do so one to two days after being exposed to the virus.
Additionally, patients may experience headaches, body aches, fever, nausea, and stomach pain. Dehydration from fluid loss can happen in extreme cases.
Intestinal or stomach inflammation is caused by norovirus which is referred to as acute gastroenteritis.
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Transmission Of Norovirus
In numerous ways, norovirus spreads quickly and readily. Norovirus can be contracted by inadvertently consuming trace amounts of vomit or feces from an infected person.
You may expel billions of invisible viral particles if you contract a norovirus sickness. Only a small number of norovirus particles are enough to cause illness in others. You are most contagious when experiencing norovirus symptoms, particularly vomiting, and in the initial days following recovery.
The virus can spread through contaminated food, water, and surfaces. The most typical route is oral-fecal.
Who is at high risk of Norovirus?
The norovirus can cause severe dehydration, hospitalization, and even death in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems who already have other illnesses or co-morbidities.
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Prevention Of Norovirus
Using soap to repeatedly wash your hands after using the restroom or changing a baby’s diaper is the most obvious way to prevent this. It’s imperative to wash your hands thoroughly before consuming or preparing food. Surfaces must be cleaned with 5,000 ppm hypochlorite solution when an epidemic is present.
Those who are infected should avoid contact with others and refrain from food preparation for others while they are ill and for two days after their symptoms stop.
Norovirus is resistant to hand sanitizers so it’s best to wash your hands for no less than 20 seconds with soap and water. While hand sanitizers can be used in addition to hand washing, but not as a substitute for soap and warm water.
Treatment Of Norovirus
People who have norovirus experience severe symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Most people recover completely without medication and norovirus last hardly 1 to 3 days.
People with norovirus illnesses cannot be treated with a specific medication. Drink a lot of liquids if you have a norovirus infection to replenish the fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration will be reduced as a result. Most people are able to return to normal life within one or two days, with no long-term health repercussions.
It is similar to the rotavirus, which causes diarrhea, and affects people of all ages. Disease outbreaks tend to occur more frequently on cruise ships, in nursing homes, dorms, and other enclosed environments.
Since antibiotics combat bacteria rather than viruses, they will not help treat norovirus infections.
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Origin Of Norovirus
The first virus proven to cause gastroenteritis was the human norovirus, formerly known as the Norwalk virus, which was discovered in stool samples taken during an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Norwalk, Ohio (USA).
Infections and outbreaks from norovirus are generally more frequent during the colder winter season. Most outbreaks take place between November and April in nations above the equator and between May and September in nations below the equator. Norovirus may be less seasonal, nevertheless, in regions that are nearer the equator.
Outbreak Of Norovirus
Globally, the majority of norovirus outbreaks since 2002 have been brought on by GII.4 viruses (genogroup II genotype 4). Although in recent years, GII.4 viruses have temporarily been replaced in numerous Asian nations by non-GII.4 viruses which include GII.17 and GII.2. Amidst 2002 and 2012, various GII.4 viruses emerged every two to four years, but since 2012, only one virus—GII.4 Sydney—has dominated the global landscape.
Global Burden Of Norovirus
According to the World Health Organization, norovirus has a substantial global impact, causing approximately 685 million cases each year. Around 200 million cases are seen among children alone under the age of five, resulting in an estimated 50,000 child deaths per year, the majority of which occur in developing countries.
However, norovirus infections are a problem in both high- and low-income nations. Every year, norovirus is projected to cost $60 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity worldwide.
Norovirus gastroenteritis has a significant financial impact on low, middle, and high-income countries alike, indicating that it is a truly global economic issue.
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WHO Recommendations For Norovirus
- Implement and maintain an early warning system at the hospital and community care levels for the early detection of gastroenteritis outbreaks.
- Outbreak surveillance and investigation.
- Work with laboratories to identify the source.
- Conduct a quick investigation of the outbreak to determine the mode of transmission and any potential sources to inform the application of countermeasures.
An RNA virus, Norovirus is a human intestinal pathogen belonging to the Caliciviridae family. It is a major contributor to morbidity due to acute gastroenteritis in both healthcare establishments and the wider population.
Until a broadly effective, long-lasting vaccine is discovered, early adoption of infection control measures will be the cornerstone of norovirus epidemic management.
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