Nagpur: After at least 13 cases were recorded of Norovirus in Wayanad district, Kerala has been put on alert. The fresh cases were recorded in some 13 students of a veterinary college in Pookde Vythiri near Wayanad.
State health minister Veena Geroge asked people to be vigilant and issued guidelines after cases of norovirus were found in the district. “With proper prevention and treatment, the disease can be cured quickly. Therefore, everyone should be aware of the disease and its means of prevention,” George added.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is an animal-borne disease transmitted through contaminated water and food. The disease causes gastrointestinal illness which includes inflammation of the lining of the stomach, extreme diarrhoea and vomiting.
According to experts, norovirus doesn’t affect healthy people but can be a serious issue in young children or people with comorbidities.
How does the virus spread?
The virus can be spread through excretion or vomit of the infected person or even through close contact with people who have already been infected or even by touching contaminated surfaces. It is also transmissible by eating food prepared or even handled by someone who has the stomach bug.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Norovirus include vomiting, severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain, inflammation in the lining of the stomach, nausea, high temperature, head and body ache are the common symptoms of the virus.
The symptoms and signs usually begin 12 to 48 hours after the exposure and last one to three days. Doctors claim that the norovirus is highly contagious and anyone can become infected more than once.
According to the Kerala health ministry, those who are infected by the norovirus should stay at home, drink boiled water, and consume oral rehydration solution. One should also wash their hands properly after using the toilet. Special attention and precautions should be taken while handling the animals.
