Kerala: Norovirus Reported In 13 Veterinary Students In Wayanad District; Full Details Here

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday asked people to be vigilant and issued guidelines to prevent the rare Norovirus -- a stomach bug

Norovirus in Kerala. (Image: Twitter)

Chennai: Norovirus, an animal-borne disease that causes Gastrointestinal illness in human beings, was reported in 13 students of a veterinary college in Wayanad district.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday asked people to be vigilant and issued guidelines to prevent the rare Norovirus -- a stomach bug. "Currently there is no cause for concern but everyone should be vigilant. Activities including super chlorination are underway. Drinking water sources need to be ensured to be hygienic. With proper prevention and treatment, the disease can be cured quickly," The Kerala Health Minister said as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

Symptoms of Norovirus

The stomach bug causes Gastrointestinal illness, severe vomitings and diarrhea and severe inflammation in the lining of the intestines. Norovirus can be easily transmitted to children and adults with comorbidities.

It can be transmitted by being in contact with the people who are infected and also by touching the contaminated surfaces.

Treatment for Norovirus

There's no specific treatment for Norovirus infection and recovery is dependent upon how immune a person is. It takes a few days to recover for a healthy adult. However, it can be prevented by keeping the surroundings hygienic.

Kerala Health Ministry's guidelines

The Kerala Health Ministry on Friday issued guidelines to prevent Norovirus.

Here are the guidelines:

• People should wash their hands more often and those interacting with animals should take special care.
• those infected with Norovirus should rest at home, mostly keep themself rehydrated with ORS and boiled water.
• People should use chlorinated water for domestic use and only boiled water should be considered for consumption.
• The seafood should be consumed after being cooked well while fruits and vegetables should be eaten after thorough washing is done.
• Storage tanks, drinking water sources and wells should be chlorinated with Bleaching Powder.

 History of Norovirus

The disease first came to light in 1929, when people described it as a 'vomiting disease'. However, only in 1968, Norovirus was seen as a life-threatening disease when the outbreak was witnessed in an elementary school in the United State. But, scientists shed light in researching the virus only in the mid-1990s.