Kerala reports two confirmed cases of Norovirus: All you need to know about the infection

In June 2022, Kerala reported two confirmed cases of Norovirus among school-going children in Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, said official sources.

The SSO, Kerala, has been asked to submit a detailed report which will be submitted shortly, added the sources. An estimated 685 million cases of Norovirus are seen annually, including 200 million cases among children under five, as per the sources.

The first documented Norovirus outbreak was reported in the month of June in the Alappuzha district of Kerala in 2021. A total of around 950 cases of acute diarrheal diseases linked to Norovirus had been reported in 2021 from Alappuzha municipality and nearby panchayats. The outbreak lasted for 1.5 months and was the first documented Norovirus outbreak in Kerala.

Though the outbreak was rapidly spreading, the disease was self-limiting and over 92 per cent of the patients required OPD care. The source of infection in Alappuzhua was found to be contaminated water.

What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a viral illness that is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis globally. The symptoms of Norovirus include acute onset of diarrhoea and vomiting. Emerging evidence suggested that Norovirus infection is associated with intestinal inflammation, and malnutrition and may cause long-term morbidity. (ANI)

How do people get viral gastroenteritis?
People can become infected by eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their mouth.

Preventing norovirus
Practicing proper hand hygiene with soap and water can keep norovirus at bay.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention in the United States, the virus can also stay in the feces of recovered people for two weeks or more. Therefore, it advises to continue washing your hands often during this time.