In Thiruvananthapuram, two primary school students were found to be infected with Norovirus, after showing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. According to the Health Department officials, the samples have been sent for examination, however, it is believed that the students got food poisoning from mid-day meals distributed in the school. Education Minister Mr. V. Sivankutty stated that necessary steps have been taken to make mid-day meals safe. 

Norovirus is a highly contagious and transmittable disease through contaminated food, water, and surfaces. It is an infection similar to diarrhea inducing rotavirus with symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, and body ache. However, the disease is self-limiting and lasts only two or three days. Basic precautions such as washing hands after lavatory before/after eating meals, and surface disinfection can help in preventing the infection. In infected patients, it is important to maintain hydration in the acute phase, and in extreme cases, patients have to be administered rehydrating intravenous fluids.