Norovirus cases reported a drastic increase in December in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the governing health body that warns about the high season of infections of this disease, which is why it urges you to take preventive measures.
“Norovirus outbreaks occur throughout the year, but are more common from November to April.” On average, up to 2,500 outbreaks are recorded in a year, but 91 were recorded in the first week of December alone, according to the institution.
“Most norovirus outbreaks occur when infected people spread the virus to others through direct contact” and “norovirus outbreaks have been reported in many settings,” the CDC explained.
What is norovirus and when was it discovered?
Rather than a specific virus, norovirus consists of a group of related viruses that attack the digestive system causing a gastroenteritis which causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which according to the National Library of Medicine, Medicine Plus, is contracted by direct contact between infected people and by ingestion of contaminated water and food.
The first discovery of norovirus It was confirmed in 1972 in the city of Norwalk, in the state of Ohio, after analyzing fecal samples obtained during an outbreak of gastroenteritis that had occurred in that town in 1968.
Norovirus belongs to the family caliciviridaesince its discovery, outbreaks have been increasing and other strains of it associated with the disease have been isolated, but they have remained under the same name since the initial discovery in Norwalk.
What are the symptoms and is there treatment?
According to Medicine Plus, main symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, in addition to stomach pain, but symptoms of fever, headache and generalized pain throughout the body may also appear.
The first indication that experts offer is to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, since “there is no specific medication to treat norovirus infections.”
How to prevent it?
Among the outbreaks on the rise this season, the CDC warns that the virus can be in fecal waste and vomit before the patient’s clinical condition worsens, and even remains up to a week after feeling better, which is why it extends a series of recommendations to avoid the proliferation of cases.
”Do not prepare or handle food or serve other people. Wait at least 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms disappear. This is important if you work in a restaurant, school, daycare, care center or other places where you may expose people to norovirus,” warns the American institution.
Hand washing for at least 20 seconds with plenty of soap and water is also recommended; after using the bathroom, before eating or preparing food. Please note that disinfectants based on gelatin and alcohol do not work against this virus.
Wash fruits and vegetables well before consuming them, and cooking seafood and other meats at more than 145 degrees Celsius also guarantees sterilization; Needless to say about the proper cleaning of kitchen utensils, cutlery and food preparation surfaces.
These measures must be taken to the extreme, according to the CDC. in case of disease outbreaks.
Who is affected most frequently?
Norovirus outbreaks affect children under five years of age and adults over 80 with a higher incidence, given the environments where it proliferates more easily, such as daycare centers and adult care centers.
However, the virus also attacks the rest of the exposed population to a greater or lesser extent. “Anyone can contract the virus, although it affects certain age groups more severely than others,” the CDC says.
It is estimated that almost one million people seek emergency medical attention for this disease in the United States, and children and older adults have been targeted as the majority and most vulnerable groups.
According to the CDC, the virus is responsible for nearly one million pediatric doctor visits.
Health authorities warn that the “total number of outbreaks reported during the 2024-2025 seasonal year is higher than the range reported during the same period during previous years” regarding monitoring the behavior of this virus throughout the country.
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