Norovirus

• Context (IE): Kimchi contaminated with norovirus caused thousands of deaths in a South Korean city.

Norovirus

• Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is often called the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug”, although unrelated to influenza.
• This non-enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus is also known as the winter vomiting bug.
• It was previously called Norwalk or Norwalk-like virus (named after a 1968 outbreak in Norwalk, Ohio).
• It is a pathogen that can cause foodborne illness. It’s a hardy virus that thrives in the human gut and is shed in large amounts in the stool and vomit of infected individuals.
• Transmission: Through direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or drinks, and touching contaminated surfaces. (The virus can be spread for a few days after recovery.)
• Period of infection: Symptoms typically appear within 12-48 hours of exposure and can last 1-3 days.
• Common symptoms: Nausea, Vomiting, diarrhoea, Abdominal cramps, Low-grade fever, Headache, Body aches, and rarely death.
• High-risk groups: Children under 5, older adults, people with weakened immune systems. Though anyone can get infected, genes partly determine susceptibility.)
• High-risk foods: Raw food (vegetables and fruits), oysters and other shellfish.
• Prevention: Personal Hygiene, safe and clean water, disinfection of surfaces and storage at appropriate temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
• Issue: Many types exist; infection with one doesn’t protect against others. Some immunity may develop, but its duration is unknown.