Currently, there are outbreaks of norovirus infection in Latvia in several Latvian pre-school educational institutions, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) informed.
SPKC statistics, in the period from the beginning of the year to mid-May, 35 cases of acute intestinal infection group disease (two and more cases) were registered with 316 patients in organized groups, including kindergartens 31, medical institutions three and one outbreak in a social care center. Norovirus infection was detected in 29 outbreaks, three were rotavirus group disease cases, two outbreaks have not been identified as the cause of the investigation is ongoing, and one has identified multiple viral infections.
Cases of norovirus cases are registered throughout the year and most often these outbreaks are observed in organized or conditionally closed groups – kindergartens, schools, health care institutions, etc.
SPKC specialists indicate that norovirus infection is an acute viral infectious disease, characterized by diarrhea, spontaneous vomiting, abdominal pain, slight fever, nausea. The amount of norovirus that can infect humans is negligible, so the disease is very ‘contagious’.
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In 70% of cases, the disease begins with vomiting, which is more common in children and diarrhea in adults. The time from the time of infection to the first signs of the disease is from 10-12 hours to four days, but usually 24-48 hours after infection. The disease lasts two to three days. The disease is dangerous for infants, young children, people with weakened immune systems due to severe dehydration.
The source of a norovirus infection is a sick person. Norovirus is most commonly spread through direct person-to-person contact or through contaminated shared items. Infection often occurs through the consumption of water or food contaminated during the preparation by a sick food worker, including a person with asymptomatic or mild disease. As the virus is also excreted by vomiting masses, it is possible for them to be present in the oral cavity, as a result of which in some cases the spread of the virus through air with microscopic saliva particles in close contact cannot be ruled out.
Noroviruses are resistant to the environment and are able to survive for a long time on various surfaces, so the environment can also serve as a source of new cases. Immunity to norovirus is not prolonged and re-infection is possible.
When monitoring the spread of norovirus, SPKC specialists remind about preventive measures to protect themselves from norovirus infection and reduce the spread of the infection. It is very important to observe personal hygiene, as well as other preventive measures:
- wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap several times a day, especially during illness, as the pathogens also spread intensively by hand;
- wash your hands properly before and after using the toilet, as well as before cooking;
- teach children not to put fingers, pencils, other objects in their mouths, as they may contain infectious agents;
- not to eat unwashed fruits and vegetables, etc .;
- people who have symptoms of an acute intestinal infection may not engage in the preparation, transportation, sale of food products;
- sick children are not allowed to attend children’s groups
SPKC specialists draw attention to the fact that the correct action of the responsible persons in cases of outbreaks in educational institutions is very important.
