Noro Virus
Why in news :
- Norovirus infection was confirmed in two schoolchildren in Ernakulam district.
- The health authorities in Kerala stepped up efforts to contain its spread.
More about NoroVirus :
NORO VIRUS
- Norovirus, sometimes referred to as the winter vomiting disease, is the most common cause of gastroenteritis.
- Infection is characterized by non-bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
- Symptoms usually develop 12 to 48 hours after being exposed, and recovery typically occurs within one to three days.
- Norovirus is mostly spread through contaminated food and water.
- Its symptoms are vomiting and/or diarrhoea, head and body aches.
- Norovirus outbreaks are rarely serious, it can spread fast if proper precautions are not taken.
- The virus spreads through the faecal-oral route.
- Infection occurs either through direct consumption of contaminated food or via careless handling of food by an infected person or caregiver.
- Prevention involves proper hand washing and disinfection of contaminated surfaces.
- There is no vaccine or specific treatment for norovirus.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against the norovirus, this is due to norovirus being a non-enveloped virus.
Syllabus : Prelims + Mains; GS3 – Science and Technology
