An outbreak of ‘Norovirus’ in the Indian state of Kerala. This was reported after 19 students of a school have been infected with the virus.
At least 19 students of a school in Kakkanad in Kerala’s Ernakulam have tested positive for norovirus.
Some parents have also been infected with norovirus. Classes have been shifted to online mode for students from Class 1 to Class 5.
A senior medical officer of the district said 62 students and a few parents of the school exhibited symptoms following which two samples were sent for testing at the State Public Laboratory.
But what is ‘Norovirus’?
👉🏽 It is a viral illness that is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis globally.
👉🏽 It is commonly referred to as ‘food poisoning’ or a ‘stomach bug’.
👉🏽 Norovirus is highly contagious.
Symptoms of norovirus include acute onset diarrhoea and vomiting. The illness often begins suddenly and one may feel very sick, with stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
According to WHO, an estimated 685 million cases of norovirus are seen annually, including 200 million cases amongst children under 5.
The infection causes an estimated 200,000 deaths per year, including 50,000 child deaths, primarily impacting low-income countries.
