Norovirus outbreak in Kerala; govt says situation under control

The Kerala government has urged people of the state to be vigilant in the wake of norovirus cases being confirmed in the northern district of Wayanad. Health Minister Veena George said that people need to be vigilant about the ‘very contagious virus’ that caused vomiting and diarrhea.

[The norovirus is highly transmissible. It can spread among human beings through contaminated food and water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it can happen in these three ways: if you ‘eat food or drink liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touch surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then put your fingers in your mouth, or have direct contact with someone who is infected with norovirus, such as by caring for them or sharing food or eating utensils with them].’

In Kerala, the norovirus was reported in 13 students of a college under the Kerala  Veterinary and Animal Science University, near Vythiri, Wayanad, two weeks ago. The Minister said the situation was ‘immediately brought under control’ and no further spread had been reported. The health authorities said they were preparing a data bank of the students of the college besides holding an awareness class as part of preventive measures.

The college authorities said the infection was first found in students living in hostels outside the campus. The health authorities were quick to collect samples and sent them to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Alappuzha district for testing. Minister Veena George chaired a meeting of health officials and took stock of the situation, too. The Minister said ‘super chlorination’ was being intensively carried out in waterbodies across the district. She also directed health officials to intensify activities to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Currently, there is no cause for concern but everyone should be vigilant,” she said.
Officials said preventive activities including super chlorination were underway.
“Drinking water sources need to be hygienic and with proper prevention and treatment, the disease can be cured quickly. Everyone should be aware of the disease and its means of prevention,” they said.

All you need to know

Symptoms: Norovirus, also known as stomach flu or stomach bug, causes ‘diarrhoea and vomiting.’ As per the CDC website, an infected person develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days. Experts say good care, clean food and water, and some hydration can get people back on their feet soon. The illness essentially leads to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses [comorbidities].

In children

The CDC say children who get dehydrated due to this ‘may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.’

Treatment