- Intestinal lining is ambushed, causing cells to explode & produce more infected cells
- Diarrhea & Intense Vomiting are our body’s natural response to the norovirus
- Our immune systems strive to rid your body of infection by flushing out your system
By: Danielle Hansen
What is Norovirus?
The “perfect pathogen”
Common Names
Norovirus is a infectious virus, causing gastroenteritis
Leading cause of food-borne illnesses in the US
https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52521-Nursing-homes-and-hearing-aids-what-you-need-to-know
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/25/chipotles-recent-norovirus-outbreak-could-be-the-result-of-lax-sick-policy-enforcement.html
http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/best-wines-pair-oysters
https://www.abcactionnews.com/money/consumer/dirty-dining/dirty-dining-10-fl-cruise-ships-hit-with-norovirus-this-last-year-and-still-passed-inspections
This transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed by norovirus virions, or virus particles. (CDC.gov)
http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/07/norovirus-freezing-temperatures-causing-havoc-winter-olympics-pyeongchang-7293420/
History
- 1968: Norwalk, Ohio had an outbreak of gastroenteritis
- 1972: the responsible agent was identified and called the "Norwalk virus"
- 2002: Norovirus became the official name
Norovirus is a Calicivirus, one of the viruses in the Caliciviridae family.
Causative Organism
Norovirus is not only another name for the food-borne illness, but is also the causative agent!
References
- Chapter 2: Background. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-cdna-norovirus.htm-l~cda-cdna-norovirus.htm-l-2
- Cunningham, A. (2018, April 13). This is how norovirus invades the body. Retrieved from https://www.sciencenews.org/article/how-norovirus-invades-body
- Travelers' Health. (2017, May 31). Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/norovirus
- Siebenga, JJ, et al., “Norovirus Illness Is a Global Problem: Emergence and Spread of Norovirus GII.4 Variants, 2001–2007,” JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, Vol. 200, No. 5, pp. 802-812 (2009). Full text available online at http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/200/5/802.long
- CDC, “Updated Norovirus Outbreak Management and Disease Prevention Guidelines,” MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT, Vol. 60, Recommendations and Reports No. 3, pp. 1-15 (March 4, 2011). Full text available online at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6003a1.htm
- Donaldson, E., et al., “Viral shape-shifting: norovirus evasion of the human immune system,” NATURE REVIEWS, MICROBIOLOGY, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 231-239 (March 2010). Abstract available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20125087
- Vinje, J, “A Norovirus Vaccine on the Horizon?” EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, Vol. 202, No. 11, pp. 1623-1625 (2010). Full text available online at http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/202/11/1623.full
- Lowther, J, Henshilwood, K, and Lees DN, “Determination of Norovirus Contamination in Oysters from Two Commercial Harvesting Areas over an Extended Period, Using Semiquantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR,” JOURNAL OF FOOD PROTECTION, Vol. 71, No. 7, pp. 1427-1433 (2008). Abstract available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18680943
What to expect after exposure
Now what?
Transmission
Portal of Entry
Transmission occurs by direct transfer of the virus to the mouth by coming into contact with contaminated:
- Food
- People
- Water
- Surfaces
- Even Air borne
Prevention
Treatment
- Mouth
- Nose
- In rare cases rubbing contamination into your eyes
- Wash Hands Frequently
- Wash Fruits and Vegetables
- Thoroughly cook food
- Flush contaminated vomit and/or stool immediately, and clean surrounding area
- Immediately remove & wash contaminated clothes and/or linens
There is no cure or specific medication available for norovirus - as it is a viral infection.
Treatment is simply to drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.
Incubation Period
12-48 hours
Duration of Illness
Portal of Exit
24-60 hours
Pathogen Identification
- The most common diagnostic test used is a PCR, polymerase chain reaction test, which rapidly and reliably detects the virus in stool specimens.
- ELISA
Noroviruses rewire our digestive system
Symptoms
Little is known about how this group of viruses does its dirty work in the body — including what cells it targets
- Dehydration symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Urination Decrease
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Non-Bloody Diarrhea
- Abdominal Cramping
- Low-grade fever
- Severe Dehydration
Know the stats
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3185648/
Incidence
World:
"Fun" Facts
- 685 million cases each year
- 200 million of these cases are among children younger than 5 years old
New Research
April, 2018
USA:
Craig Wilen, a physician scientist at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
- Hand Sanitizer won't cut it
- Lives on surfaces, clothes and linens for several days
- You are contagious, even when there are no symptoms
- Several vaccines are in the works
C. WILEN ET AL/SCIENCE 2018
In mice, norovirus invades tuft cells (the two bright green spots) in the lining of the small intestine (left) and the colon (right).
Other cells in the intestines that weren’t infected are shown in blue.
- 19–21 million cases each year
- 1.7–1.9 million outpatient visits and
- 56,000–71,000 hospitalizations each year
Mortality Rate
World
200,000 deaths globally every year
USA
570-800 deaths, mostly among young children and the elderly