Hyderabad, the bustling capital of Telangana state in India, is currently grappling with a significant increase in norovirus infections. The scale of this highly contagious gastrointestinal illness is significantly larger than in recent years and has been affecting residents and impacting healthcare facilities across the city.
Norovirus, often referred to as the “stomach flu,” is known for causing sudden onset of severe vomiting and diarrhea. The virus spreads rapidly through contaminated food or water, as well as through close contact with infected individuals. Its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods makes containment particularly challenging.
Note: Another recent Norovirus outbreak in Seattle was just announced on September 13, 2024.
Local hospitals and clinics have reported a spike in patients presenting with symptoms characteristic of norovirus infection. These typically include nausea, abdominal pain, and in some cases, fever and body aches. While most cases resolve within a few days, the illness can be more severe for young children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.
The outbreak has put a strain on local healthcare resources, with some reporting being overwhelmed due to the influx of patients. One hospital reported seeing 25-30 patients daily for the past few weeks while another has been treating over 100 cases every day for the last three weeks.
Health officials have been reviewing the diets of each patient and the outbreak seems to be the result of contaminated food and water. Rapid dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting can lead to severe kidney damage with some of those affected being put on dialysis. Other patients have experienced extremely low blood pressure (hypotension) and problems breathing and have been placed on ventilators. The remainder are being treated with fluids and other medications.
Health authorities in Hyderabad have also begun investigating restaurants and food vendors all over the city. It is likely that contaminated water from the monsoon season is a contributing factor to the outbreak.
Medical experts say that norovirus could be curtailed in the future if certain sanitary practices are followed. These include frequent hand washing, thorough cleaning of potentially contaminated surfaces, proper food handling practices, and not eating food from outside the home.
Last Friday, Food Poisoning News reported on a norovirus outbreak at a Seattle-area restaurant that was recently contained and, in May, featured a story on another norovirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the UK.
Commenting on this story, one national Norovirus lawyer said, “Because norovirus can be easily spread from person to person, it is especially contagious. Outbreaks can quickly occur in any setting where people are in close proximity, whether that be a school, nursing home, cruise ship, or a large, densely-packed city like Hyderabad.”
