What is this virus that has the sports world in a tizzy? All you need to know
The Winter Olympic Games 2018 at Pyeongchang, South Korea has been hit by an outbreak of Norovirus, a stomach bug which is a leading cause of viral diarrhoea in adults.
According to Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), 86 people mostly security personnel, police officers and food preparation stuff have been affected. About 1200 people have been quarantined and 900 military personnel have been called in to cover for the Olympic Games slated to begin today.
“All areas are getting disinfected. The organisers will be extremely diligent to sanitize anything that come into contact with the persons, very stringent measures are in place when it comes to food and beverages,” Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said.
It can also be acquired from inanimate objects in our surroundings like doors, knobs, cutlery etc. the virus is resistant to many disinfectants and heat of upto 140 degrees Fahrenheit; so steaming shellfish and other food does not kill the virus
 What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is one of the two main viral agents causing travellers’ diarrhoea, the other being rotavirus which affects mostly infants and small children. Although it accounts for less than 10% of all travellers’ diarrhoea, periodic outbreaks in cruise ships, dormitories and other closed spaces is well known. The incubation period from time of exposure to onset of symptoms is usually one to two days.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include diarrhoea (watery stools 4-8/day) with vomiting accompanied in about half of the cases with headache, fever and chills. The illness is self limiting with most infections lasting only one to three days but the symptoms can be disabling at their peak.
How does Norovirus spread?
It is a highly contagious disease readily transmitted from person to person, as well as through contaminated water and food especially shellfish. It can also be acquired from inanimate objects in our surroundings like doors, knobs, cutlery etc. The virus is resistant to many disinfectants and heat of upto 140 degrees Fahrenheit; so steaming shellfish and other food does not kill the virus.
How to prevent infection?
Repeated washing of hands with soap and water especially after using toilet or changing diapers. It is a must before eating, preparing or handling food. Disinfecting surfaces is very important during Norovirus outbreaks and scrubbing down all surfaces with a solution of hypochlorite at 5000 parts per million is required as usual concentration of alcohol and chlorine are ineffective. No vaccines are available for prevention of the disease.
How to treat Norovirus infection?
Diagnosis is done by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays. Prevention of dehydration by oral rehydration solutions is the mainstay along with symptomatic treatment for fever, headache and vomiting. Loperamide can be used in adults if stool frequency is high. The infection is usually self limiting.
