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Norovirus

Table of contents
  • 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.

Norovirus

  • Recently, there was mass food poisoning in South Korea due to kimchi contaminated with norovirus.

Kimchi

  • Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made from fermented vegetables, typically napa cabbage and Korean radishes, seasoned with various spices and seasonings.
  • This sour-tasting dish contains vitamins A, B, C, and K and minerals like calcium and iron.
  • It contains probiotics that promote gut health due to the fermentation process.
  • It is low in calories and high in fibre.
  • Issue: Since kimchi is consumed raw, cooking won’t kill any norovirus, increasing the risk of infection.

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