Kerala confirms two cases of Norovirus in students, Govt step up preventive measures

Ernakulam: Kerala's Health Department has stepped up precautionary measures and preventive guidelines have been issued after Ernakulam district reported two cases of gastrointestinal infection, 'Norovirus' in two students of Class I and II studying at Bhavan’s Adarsha Vidyalaya in Kakkanad.  

The health department confirmed the two cases after nearly 62 children and a few parents began showing symptoms of the infection like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, a high temperature, headache, and body aches. The stool samples were sent to the State Public Health Laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram, where the cases were confirmed. 

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Three of the students who are under medical care are reportedly in stable condition now. 

The school authorities have issued an order suspending offline classes due to the outbreak. The classes would be held online, and the parents have been sent proper directions based on the health department's guidelines, reports the Hindu. 

"The health condition of the children is stable. The Health Department personnel inspected the school which is now temporarily closed. We are holding online awareness sessions for the children and parents. The classrooms and the toilets have now been sanitised," the District Medical Officer said in a statement. They said that the water samples have been collected and sent for a detailed analysis.

The communication from the District Medical Officer further observed that symptomatic people should remain under observation and care should be taken to ensure that the drinking water sources are clean and free of contamination. 

Norovirus is a contagious virus causing vomiting and diarrhoea with symptoms like low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches, which may particularly affect small children, elderly and people with co-morbidities. The virus spreads through polluted water and food, and through the faecal-oral route. 

Last year, two children were found infected with the same virus at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram. The Health Department today said precautionary measures have been taken as the virus spreads through contaminated water and food. The department said the disease is highly contagious and urged the people to maintain hygiene. 

Norovirus is not new and is estimated to kill 200,000 persons globally every year, mostly those who are below the age of five years and those over the age of 65 years. Some of the precautions which could be taken include washing hands properly, chlorinating drinking water sources and water tanks, drinking boiled water, washing fruits and vegetables properly, etc. 

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