Beware of norovirus: How to prevent this acute illness?

Shenzhen has seen a significant increase in collective diarrhea infections caused by the norovirus compared to the same period last year in October.

The Shenzhen Center for Disease Control has instructed nurseries and schools to implement preventive measures to avoid infection and transmission. Last week, Xi'an also reported norovirus cases in a kindergarten with 48 children infected, though the situation is stable.

Norovirus, often referred to as the "winter vomiting bug," is more commonly seen in the colder months. The virus is highly contagious with a low infectious dose and can spread through various routes, making outbreaks likely in kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Norovirus Symptoms

- Causes acute gastroenteritis

- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and mild fever

- Most patients recover on their own, with symptoms generally improving within 1 to 3 days

- It is vital for patients to stay hydrated

Transmission Routes of Norovirus

- Consuming food or water contaminated with norovirus

- Contacting with an infected person's vomit or feces

- Touching contaminated objects

- Via droplets from vomiting that carry the virus

Incubation Period for Norovirus

- Typically 12 to 48 hours

Preventing Norovirus Infection

- No vaccine is available for prevention

- General preventive measures for gastroenteritis should be adopted

- Maintain good personal hygiene such as keeping hands clean, especially before handling food, eating, and using the toilet

- Alcohol does not effectively kill norovirus; alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not a substitute for washing hands with soap and water

- Maintain food hygiene

- Keep environments clean

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