New Outbreak in Kerala? Amid COVID, Kerala reports 13 cases of Norovirus
As many as 13 students of a veterinary college in Wayanad, in north Kerala, tested positive for the rare norovirus, the state health department said on Friday.
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In major concern, the first case of the Norovirus, an animal-borne disease, has been confirmed in Wayanad in north Kerala. As many as 13 students of a veterinary college in Wayanad, in north Kerala, tested positive for the rare norovirus, the state health department said on Friday, adding the outbreak was being contained locally.
Veterinary college authorities said the infection was first found in students living in hostels outside the campus. Their samples had been sent to the NIV centre in Alappuzha, which later confirmed the presence of the rare virus in the samples.
Soon after the news, state health minister Veena George chaired a meeting of the health officials here and took stock of the situation in Wayanad.
"Everything is under control now. We have contained it locally. Some students started showing early symptoms ten days back and later more complained and we sent their samples to the NIV lab in Alappuzha," said the minister.
The health minister also directed to intensify preventive activities and to spread awareness about the disease. She has also issued an order in the district asking people to be vigilant.
"Currently, there is no cause for concern but everyone should be vigilant. Activities, including super chlorination, are underway. "Drinking water sources need to be ensured to be hygienic," she said.
"With proper prevention and treatment, the disease can be cured quickly. Therefore, everyone should be aware of the disease and its means of prevention," she added.
The Norovirus infection was detected at a time when Kerala is struggling with mounting Covid-19 cases. For more than six months, the state topped the Covid-19 charts of the country. On Thursday Kerala had reported 7,224 cases and 47 deaths.
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