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In the United Kingdom, viruses of the norovirus family are responsible for an epidemic of gastroenteritis. It is essential to remain vigilant in the face of this highly contagious virus, especially for the most vulnerable people.
Norovirus (NoV), a virus responsible for acute gastroenteritis
Noroviruses are the main causes of acute gastroenteritis. They cause a particularly strong inflammation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Acute gastroenteritis causes the appearance of symptoms, such as projectile vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, often associated with cramps and abdominal pain. These clinical signs are associated with fever, chills, body aches or headaches. According to the Health Security Agency (ANSES), the incubation period varies between 10 and 50 hours.
Noroviruses have the particularity of being contagious. The main route of transmission is the faecal-oral route. However, they are also transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food or water or by contact with a contaminated environment. It also happens that contamination occurs from an infected person who, while cooking, soils the food.
Preventing Norovirus Infections
Preventive measures can be taken, such as regular hand washing, or disinfection if necessary, especially before and after preparing meals. Ideally, a person infected with Norovirus should not cook.
ANSES also recommends remaining vigilant about the origin of crustaceans and shellfish before consuming them: they must come from “an authorized and controlled farming area”.
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Why is the Norovirus worrying?
In fragile people, the risk is dehydration, which can affect the proper functioning of the body. People who are particularly vulnerable to Noroviruses are children, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses or suffering from immunosuppression.
This is precisely what worries the British health authorities, because for the past few weeks, the “vomiting virus” has been circulating actively in the United Kingdom. The country is experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of cases of acute gastroenteritis, particularly in nurseries, schools and in structures welcoming dependent people. For the moment, it does not seem that Noroviruses circulate in the same way in France.