Kerala confirms 2 cases of Norovirus, health minister says ‘no need for concern’
KERALA,JUNE 6 : The Kerala government has confirmed two cases of Norovirus in the state. The highly contagious infection was detected in two children in the Vizhinjam area of capital Thiruvananthapuram..
State Health Minister Veena George allayed concerns and said the condition of both patients is stable. Samples were collected from students of LMSLP School in Vizhinjam after they complained of food poisoning and diarrhoea.
The samples were sent to the state public health lab for testing, where the presence of Norovirus was confirmed in two. The Kerala health department has examined the samples collected from the area where the outbreak was reported, and taken precautionary measures.
“Two cases of Norovirus confirmed in Vizhinjam; no need for concern.
Health Department has assessed the situation; samples have been collected and tested from the area and preventive actions have been intensified. Condition of the two children is stable,” said Veena George, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Cases of Norovirus were first reported in Kerala in November 2021, when 13 students at a veterinary college in Wayanad tested positive for the infection.
The government took immediate action and brought under control. No further spread was reported after that.
Norovirus spreads through ingested food or liquids contaminated with the virus. Even touching surfaces or objects infected with Norovirus or close contact with an infected person can cause its spread.
The infected person sheds millions of Norovirus particles through physical contact, breath and excretions and even a few infected particles can make a large number of people sick.
Those infected with Norovirus suffer from nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
The symptoms subside after three days or so, but even after recovery, an infected person can spread the virus for up to two weeks.
Drinking water sources need to be hygienic, and with proper prevention and treatment, the disease can be cured quickly, the Kerala health department has said.
-PTI
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