The Norovirus outbreak recently took place in multiple areas in China, with infections spreading since October this year.
Generally, everyone is susceptible to the virus but many school students have been affected including those from three classes at Zhejiang Road Primary School in Zhangwan District, forcing lessons to be conducted online.
Other students at different schools experienced symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal pain, which was later confirmed to be Norovirus. In this case, 18 students were infected with the virus.
In another isolated case, children in a kindergarten in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province also suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea, with 48 children testing positive for Norovirus.
An official guideline has been released on Norovirus disinfection
According to China’s National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the acute infectious disease caused by Norovirus has entered its peak period.
As such, the organisation released a guideline to remind people about the contagious virus and highlighted that the Norovirus is highly resistant to commonly used disinfectants. Alcohol is also found to be ineffective against it.
“It takes a long time to detox and provides short-term immune protection. This means that crowded places like schools are prone to Norovirus-induced diarrheal outbreaks.”
Hence, the guideline urged those who are infected to isolate themselves immediately.
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As preventive measures, everyone is advised to wash their hands properly with soap and for at least 20 seconds before meals, after defecation, and before handling food which must be cooked thoroughly before consumption. Periodically disinfecting high-touch areas using chlorine-based disinfectants is also encouraged.
The disease control centre also reminded the public not to attend work if they are infected with the virus and seek immediate medical help.
