News Excerpt:

Norovirus cases rise in UK, with more than 1,500 infected.

About:

• Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines).
  • According to the World Health Organization, it is the most common pathogen implicated in outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease.
  • It leads to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches and bodyaches.
• The primary route is oral-faecal.
  • It is transmitted through contaminated food, water and surfaces and can be contracted multiple times as the virus has different strains.
  • Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure. Most people recover within one to three days.
• The virus is resistant to many disinfectants and can survive in heat up to 60°C.
  • Therefore, merely steaming food or chlorinating water does not kill the virus.
  • The virus can also survive many common hand sanitisers.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one out of every five cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide is caused by Norovirus, with 685 million cases annually, of which 200 million are detected among children younger than five years.
  • Nearly 50,000 children die every year due to diarrhoea caused by the virus mostly in developing countries.
• Diagnosis is done by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
• During outbreaks, surfaces must be disinfected with a solution of hypochlorite at 5,000 parts per million.
  • The basic precaution is washing hands frequently with soap.
  • It is essential to maintain hydration during the acute phase, and in extreme cases, rehydration fluids may be administered intravenously.