What is norovirus infection that was reported in Kerala

Ground Report | New Delhi: What is norovirus infection; The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc in some parts of the country and cases of another highly contagious virus are now being reported. Several cases of norovirus have been confirmed in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The state government has advised people to be vigilant against this contagious virus.

What is norovirus infection

Norovirus case has been confirmed in Wayanad, Kerala. Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday asked people to be alert and issued guidelines for this. Vomiting and diarrhea are the main symptoms of this virus. It is a virus spread from animals to humans. Two weeks ago, norovirus was reported in 13 students of a veterinary college at Pookode near Vithiri in Wayanad district.

Health officials have said that the situation has been brought under control and no further spread of the virus has been reported. Apart from creating awareness about the virus among the people, data of the students of the College of Veterinary Science is also being prepared.

Veterinary college officials said the infection was first detected in students living in hostels outside the campus. Health officials took the samples and soon sent them to the Institute of Virology (NIV) in Alappuzha for testing. The person suffering from this infection complains of vomiting and diarrhea.

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The total number of laboratory-confirmed norovirus reports across all age groups has also recently risen to levels seen in previous years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. (What is norovirus infection)

In the guideline issued by the Ministry of Health of Kerala, it has been said that people infected with norovirus should rest at home. ORS and boiled water should be drunk. People should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating food and after using the toilet. It has also been said in the guidelines that special attention should be paid to those who come in contact with animals.

Norovirus does not affect healthy people as much, but it can be serious for young children, the elderly, and people with other health problems.

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Norovirus characteristics

• Norovirus is commonly known as the winter vomiting bug.
• It is easily spread through contact with infected persons or contaminated surfaces.
• Norovirus is highly contagious and causes vomiting and diarrhea but usually passes in a few days.
• The increase in outbreaks has mostly occurred in educational settings, particularly in nurseries and childcare facilities.
• Symptoms include sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhea.
• Symptoms may also include high temperature, abdominal pain, and pain in the limbs.
• Norovirus can be spread through food contaminated with the virus when the food is handled by symptomatic people or infected persons.

precautions

• Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of norovirus.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water.
• Unlike COVID-19, alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so soap and water are best.
• A bleach-based household cleaner or a combination of bleach and hot water should be used to disinfect potentially contaminated household surfaces.
• If you are sick, avoid cooking and helping to prepare food for others for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

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