Norovirus | IASbaba

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Norovirus

Part of: Prelims and GS-II – Health 

Context Recently, several cases of Norovirus have been reported in the state of Kerala.

About Norovirus

  • It is the most common cause of gastroenteritis.
  • It is a bug similar to the diarrhoea-inducing rotavirus and it infects people across age groups.
  • Disease outbreaks typically occur aboard cruise ships, in nursing homes, dormitories, and other closed spaces.
  • The initial symptoms: vomiting and/or diarrhoea, which show up one or two days after exposure to the virus. 
    • Nausea, abdominal pain, fever, headaches and body aches. 
    • In extreme cases, loss of fluids could lead to dehydration.
  • It normally lasts only two or three days.
  • It is highly contagious, and can be transmitted through contaminated food, water, and surfaces.  The primary route is oral-faecal. 
  • It is resistant to many disinfectants and heat up to 60°C. The virus can also survive many common hand sanitisers.
  • About one out of every five cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide is caused by Norovirus.
  • Diagnosis is done by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
  • No vaccines are available for the disease.



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