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Noroviruses is also known as Norwalk-like viruses or small round structured viruses SRSVs. It cause acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea).
Persons can acquire the infection from:
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Food or water contaminated by infected food handlers or at its source e.g. shellfish.
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Person to person spread occurs via direct and indirect contact with faeces and vomitus.
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Contaminated environment (e.g. toilet, swimming pool) can be a major source of outbreak.
- Aerosol from contaminated environment or projectile vomiting.
After exposure to the virus, there will be an incubation period of 24-48 hours.
Then, the following symptoms will occur:
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Vomiting (predominant early symptom)
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Abdominal pain
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Watery diarrhea
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Fever (low-grade, not present in all cases)
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Dehydration (may occur in young children or elderly)
- The illnesses usually last for 1-2 days without chronic sequel
Special notes:
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Norovirus is highly infectious.
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Persons become infectious from symptom onset and may last for 2 weeks after recovery.
- Control on personal hygiene of infected persons, and thorough environmental cleansing (e.g. household bleach (5.25%) diluted in 1:49 water) are key to prevent secondary spread.
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University hostels and areas with high human density are at risk for norovirus outbreak.
- Students and staff should be alert for symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, and prompt for advice from University Health Clinic.
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