In Kerala′s Ernakulam district, two cases of the highly contagious Norovirus have been reported. According to the state′s health department, two students in Class 1 have tested positive for the zoonotic disease. The local health department has started taking action to stop the sickness from spreading. Following the outbreak, the school has declared a holiday for 1 to 5th standards.

Experts′ suggestion on norovirus:

The Norovirus, formerly known as the Norwalk virus, was discovered during a gastroenteritis outbreak in Norwalk in 1929. Due to its periodic emergence in the winter, the gastroenteritis illness caused by this virus was formerly referred to as "winter vomiting disease."

It is also called "stomach flu" and is very contagious. According to the WHO, there are 200 million cases of norovirus in children under the age of five out of an estimated 685 million cases seen year worldwide.

The initial symptoms occur after 1 or 2 days of exposure to norovirus and include vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, patients may have headaches, body aches, fever, nausea, and stomach pain. Dehydration brought on by fluid loss can occur in extreme cases.

The virus can spread through contaminated food, water, and surfaces. It can enter the body through the mouth or feces, by coming into close contact with contagious individuals, or by handling contaminated objects. Infected people can potentially spread the disease to others directly and through contaminated water. Eating food that has been handled or prepared by someone who has a stomach illness could spread also it.

The virus is similar to the rotavirus that causes diarrhea and can infect people of all ages. Enclosed spaces such as cruise ships, nursing homes, dormitories, and other enclosed spaces are most often where the disease breakout is extremely frequent.

Prevention is better than cure. The norovirus is resistant to many disinfectants and may survive in temperatures as high as 60 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the virus cannot be destroyed by simply cooking food or chlorinating water. The virus is also resistant to most of the commonly used hand sanitizers. Hence, routine soap-based hand washing is the easiest way to prevent this infection. Before eating or preparing food, it′s critical to wash your hands properly.

(Symptoms: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/norovirus-cases-found-in-kerala-heres-all-about-this-highly-contagious-disease-its-symptoms-how-to-prevent/97262813)