This virus has entered its peak period, the latest reminder from the China Centers for Disease Control →

The peak season for norovirus infection is from October to March of the following year. Schools and childcare institutions are places where people gather. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds that after returning to school after the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, it is particularly important to prevent and control the epidemic in key places such as schools.

Screenshot of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention official website

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning that Norovirus is an RNA virus that is extremely prone to mutation. New mutants appear every few years, causing global or regional outbreaks.

The incubation period of norovirus infection is 12 to 72 hours, usually 24 to 48 hours. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Some patients have headaches, chills and muscle aches. Children mainly experience vomiting, while adults mostly experience diarrhea, with loose or watery stools.

Cases and latent carriers are the sources of Norovirus infection. There are many ways of transmission, mainly through ingestion of food or water contaminated by feces or vomit, contact with feces or vomit of patients, inhalation of aerosols produced by vomiting, and indirect contact with objects and environments contaminated by feces or vomit.

Norovirus gastroenteritis is a self-limiting disease, and there is currently no effective antiviral drug. Most patients have mild symptoms after onset and do not require treatment. They can recover after resting for 2 to 3 days. Oral sugar saline or oral rehydration salts can be taken to replenish the water lost by vomiting and diarrhea.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds: Infants, young children, and the elderly, especially those with underlying diseases, should seek medical attention promptly if they experience severe symptoms such as dehydration due to frequent vomiting or diarrhea.

The public should take good personal protection, maintain hand hygiene, and pay attention to food and water hygiene. Cases should be isolated at home as much as possible to avoid infecting others, and do a good job of environmental cleaning and disinfection.