WANTED!
Dead or Alive: Norovirus
Physical Description: What does Norovirus look like?
Noroviruses are groups of single stranded RNA that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans. These microscopic viruses are about 26 to 35-NM and appears to have a spherical structure.
Wanted For: Crimes supspected of and symptoms
Being high contagious, it's very easy for one to become infected. Once infected, your stomach lining and intestines start to become inflamed, also called acute gastroenteritis, following symptoms of stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
When was the Norovirus discovered?
Noroviruses were first described following an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school on Norwalk, Ohio in 1968. NOV strands are named after the location to which they were first associated. By sequencing its DNA, scientists now know there are at least 25 different strands of Norovirus that affect humans.
Known Patterns: Where was Norovirus last seen and how does it enter the body?
Most outbreaks of Norovirus illnesses happen when infected people spread the virus to others. Norovirus is the leading cause of outbreaks from contaminated foods in the United States. Transmission occurs through ingesting contaminated food and water and by person-to-person spread through fecal to oral (diarrhea and vomit) symptoms can still be detected many weeks after infection.
In Case of Contact
The body naturally vomits even though it won't resolve in curing this virus. Treatment for gastroenteritis usually associated with Norovirus is self-limited. Oral or intravenous re hydration may become necessary if severe vomiting or diarrhea persists. Deaths are considered rare.
Defend Yourself
- Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds
- Prompt disposal or disinfection of contaminated materials
- isolation of infected persons for at least 48 hours after the resolution of the last symptom
- prevention of cross-contamination with non- portable water supplies
- exclusion of infected food handlers from food preparation and service
- hygienic processing of food items
- strict adherence to prescribed maintenance of drinking and recreational water systems including acceptable halogen levels and distribution systems