Two primary school
students in Kerala have been infected with the norovirus, a virus that afflicts
200 million children across the world annually and kills 50,000 of them. The
two students were found to have been infected with the norovirus after they
complained of vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. The children are said to have got
the infection from their school midday meal.

What is the
norovirus?

Norovirus is a
contagious virus transmitted through direct contact with an infected person,
consumption of contaminated food, touching a contaminated surface and putting
unwashed hands in the mouth, according to the US Centers for Disease Control
(CDC).

Also Read | What is Norovirus?

Infections of the
norovirus occur chiefly in closed and crowded environments such as in
hospitals, nursing homes and childcare centres. Outbreaks have been reported in
schools and cruise ships as well.

Norovirus is often
the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis.

Norovirus
symptoms

A norovirus
infection causes diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Symptoms include
fever, headache and body ache and sometimes a loss of fluids causes dehydration.
Symptoms of a norovirus infection typically tend to surface within 12-48 hours
of exposure, although it might take up to 3 days.

How to prevent
norovirus infections?

Medical experts
say norovirus infections can be prevented by washing hands with soap and water.
Doctors also recommend avoiding contaminated food and water, including food
prepared by someone who was sick. Further, washing and rising vegetables and
cooking shellfish thoroughly may help prevent infections.

Treatment for
norovirus

Norovirus
infections typically clear out in two or three days. Unless the afflicted are
too young or two old or malnourished, the infection is hardly ever fatal. Sufficient
rest and hydration allow people to recuperate, according to an Indian Express
report. Intravenous rehydration may be required in extreme cases.

Outbreaks in
other nations

Norovirus infections
are reported across the world. In July 2021,
England reported 154 cases of norovirus infection on account of an outbreak. In
2018, China suffered an outbreak in which 157 people were infected.