The state health department believes students were affected by food poisoning from mid-day meals distributed in schools
On June 5, 2022, the Kerala government confirmed two cases of Norovirus in the state. Two lower primary school students in Thiruvananthapuram were the ones affected by the virus.
Norovirus, which is sometimes called the ‘stomach flu’ or ‘winter vomiting bug’, is said to be highly contagious. The virus causes gastrointestinal illness, which leads to inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines.
The initial symptoms of Norovirus are vomiting and / or diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration. Patients also feel nauseated and can have abdominal pain, fever, headaches and body aches.
Norovirus can be transmitted through contaminated food, water, and surfaces. The virus does not significantly affect healthy people but it can be serious in young children, the elderly and people with comorbidities.
The state health minister said the disease can be cured and people need to maintain hygiene. The health department believes that students were affected by food poisoning from mid-day meals distributed in schools.
The state education minister has decided to conduct quality checks across Kerala to make mid-day meals safe. Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis in about 18 per cent of all cases worldwide. In November last year, over a dozen students at a veterinary college in Wayanad had been infected with the same virus.
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