As the world has its eyes set on curbing the escalation of H5N1 (Avian/Bird) Influenza and HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) infections, the UK is confronted with another seasonal problem that targets school aged children. As it appeared in the reports of the British press, Norovirus has been identified as a public health concern this winter. The UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) predicts that norovirus cases are high this current winter. It is being advised that clothing and bedding must be boiled with water in January to prevent the spread of this tummy bug.

International best practice advocates that in order to quell potential upheaval, the Norovirus bug should be treated with all due diligence so that outbreaks such as the one witnessed at Telscombe Cliffs Academy at Telscombe Cliffs close to Brighton do not n indigent issues whereby the children had to vomit on each other. Having myriad negative implications such as, Light Fever, Painful Stomach Cramps, Headaches, Aches in the Limbs, And many more and as with every gastroenteritis the bug is also associated with sudden watery diarrhoea combined with vomiting. All of these negative consequences last for 2-3 days.

Definition of Norovirus?

Most contagious virus associated with diarrhea and vomiting as per CDC guidelines is Norovirus or summer vomiting bug. As per the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, this virus causes nearly 12,000 hospitalizations every year in the UK alone. Due to its extremely contagious nature, one must exercise all the necessary safety measures. This virus is often misidentified as the “stomach flu” but in reality, it is NOT caused by the influenza virus. Instead, norovirus causes gastroenteritis, meaning inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

How is Norovirus transmitted?

For the majority of people, norovirus lasts for approximately 1 to 3 days. However, in spite of having fully recovered, one can continue transmitting the virus for several days. It has a possibility to be passed on through physical touch, by hugging or handshaking an infected person, or by consuming food which was prepared by an infected individual. After two weeks of recovery, norovirus is still present in an individual’s faeces. During this recovery time, norovirus is still present and contagious. The UKHSA maintains that contact with contaminated surfaces, food, or water causes termination of bacteria and advises the use of disposable gloves while washing contaminated clothes and bedding at 60 degrees Celsius with detergents.

Refrain from using hand sanitizers, Instead use soap-detergents and boiling

Do not care for alcohol based hand sanitizer, there is no point as it has a proof given by legendary medical research center Mayo Clinic USA. British health authorities highly recommend against the use hand sanitizers if alcohol based ones are available. Mayo Clinic further reports that 'the best approach for protecting yourself from a norovirus is to always wash your hands with soap and clean running water for more than twenty seconds after any likely exposure.' Hand washing does work better than the use of antiseptics and other alcohol based hand sanitizers which frankly is an odd claim when so many health institutions praise for its use across the globe.

This winter, circumstances suggest that there may be an increase in the number of people infected. The newest data from the CDC indicates that last week, 91 individuals reported joining the brand new norovirus club, which is much more than the 69 who came in at the end of November. The epidemiology is poor in India, at least for our times.