Explained: Norovirus Cases Detected In Kerala
The norovirus, a gastroenteritis infection, has been linked to two cases of class 1 students in the Ernakulam district, according to the Kerala Health Department on January 24. Following the development of symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, a high temperature, headache, and body aches in 62 people¡ªstudents and their parents¡ªthe two samples were tested.
The norovirus, a gastroenteritis infection, has been linked to two cases of class 1 students in the Ernakulam district, according to the Kerala Health Department on January 24. Following the development of symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, a high temperature, headache, and body aches in 62 people¡ªstudents and their parents¡ªthe two samples were tested.
How widespread are infections caused by the norovirus?
The norovirus, which has been around in humans for more than 50 years and is believed to be one of the main causes of gastroenteritis, is not a recent disease. According to estimates, the virus kills 200,000 people annually around the world, with the majority of these deaths occurring in children under the age of five and seniors over the age of 65.
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The norovirus, a gastroenteritis infection, has been linked to two cases of class 1 students in the Ernakulam district, according to the Kerala Health Department on January 24. Following the development of symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, a high temperature, headache, and body aches in 62 people¡ªstudents and their parents¡ªthe two samples were tested.
How widespread are infections caused by the norovirus?
The norovirus, which has been around in humans for more than 50 years and is believed to be one of the main causes of gastroenteritis, is not a recent disease. According to estimates, the virus kills 200,000 people annually around the world, with the majority of these deaths occurring in children under the age of five and seniors over the age of 65.
While norovirus cases are less frequent in India than in many other countries, the recent cases in Kerala are by no means exceptional or one-offs. The infection has previously been reported, primarily from Southern India, and particularly from Kerala.
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1,856 episodes of diarrhoea and 147 episodes of vomiting were found in a 2016 study by Christian Medical College-Vellore that monitored a birth cohort of 373 over the course of three years. According to the study, norovirus was found in 20.4% of vomiting episodes and 11.2% of diarrhoeal episodes.
According to a Hyderabad study from 2021, children who presented with acute gastroenteritis had norovirus found in 10.3% of their samples.
According to Dr. E Sreekumar, director of the Institute of Advanced Virology-Kerala, the number of norovirus cases reported has increased recently. ¡°One of the reasons could well be that we were not looking for the virus previously. Now we have systems to detect not just this virus but several others.¡±
Instead of testing for a single viral infection that the treating physician might suspect, according to Dr. Sreekumar, his institute uses a syndromic approach to testing patient samples, which bases clinical decisions on the symptoms and signs of the patient, as cited by Indian Express.
Can the norovirus spread widely and cause an outbreak?
No. Even though there are more norovirus cases being found, experts believe that there won't be a widespread outbreak as a result.
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¡°Although we haven¡¯t studied the epidemiological correlates of these cases, what we have seen is that the norovirus cases are sporadic and found in small clusters in schools or hostels where people consume the same foods. The spread of the infection is also self-limiting. It is an individual problem, not a public health one,¡± Dr Sreekumar said, as cited by the Indian Express.
What are the signs and how can it be stopped from spreading?
Diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain are symptoms of norovirus. Being a diarrheal disease, it can cause dehydration, so it is advised to drink lots of fluids.
The virus can be spread through contaminated food, touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, and direct contact with an infected person, such as when you are caring for them or sharing food and utensils with them.
The best way to avoid infection is to practise good hand hygiene. Spend 20 seconds washing your hands with soap and water. It is believed that hand sanitizers don't effectively combat norovirus.
