Kerala, Nov 13: A Norovirus outbreak has been confirmed in Kerala, affecting 30 students at Pookode Veterinary College. Viruses that cause norovirus usually last three to four days and are waterborne in nature.
Veena George, the Health Minister of Kerala, urged people to stay calm and tread carefully to defeat the Norovirus. She emphasized that there was nothing to panic about as the disease can be treated well with measures like super chlorination, adding that drinking water sources must be clean.
The Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause stomach-related issues, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as inflammation of the intestines. Viruses like this will hardly affect healthy individuals, but they can cause severe health problems in children, the elderly, or those with pre-existing diseases.
An outbreak of norovirus can be transmitted by contaminated water or food. Direct contact with infected individuals can also spread the disease as the affected individuals will spread the virus through their vomit and faeces. The illness is also highly contagious.
Also Read: Assam water project named after ‘Pakistan’ raises a storm
The symptoms typically include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, headache, stomach ache, body ache, and fever. Sometimes, the symptoms are so severe that diarrhoea and vomiting can cause dehydration.
It is advisable to stay at home for two more days after recovering from the virus since it can spread even after the symptoms are gone. Be sure to keep your surroundings and personal hygiene as clean as possible, so that the symptoms do not get worse. It is also advisable to chlorinate water before drinking and to wash your hands with soap before eating and after using the bathroom.
