Arabia Weather - An outbreak of a new virus in several American states; Which led to the closure of schools and the declaration of a state of health emergency, as these events made headlines in newspapers and news bulletins.
In a report published by the local "6 ABC" channel in Philadelphia last Thursday, it was reported that there is increasing concern among parents as a result of the spread of an infectious germ in the region, especially in South Jersey, which is known as "Norovirus."
“Norovirus” is a virus also known as “stomach flu,” and it is a highly contagious virus that causes intestinal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, in addition to stomach pain.
In the report broadcast by Fox 5, Dr. Purvi Parikh, a professor of infectious diseases and immunology at NYU Langone, explained that the new virus spreading in the United States causes “stomach or digestive symptoms.”
Symptoms begin to appear within 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus, and may include stomach cramps and diarrhea, and those infected may also suffer from vomiting, which increases the risk of dehydration.
Norovirus can sometimes cause fever and mild aches that lead to severe dehydration, according to NBC News.
Regarding the way the virus spreads, Parikh warns that the infection is usually transmitted through direct contact, and stresses the importance of drinking enough water to prevent dehydration in the event of infection with this virus.
As an example, the virus can be transmitted to humans if they do not wash their hands properly, and it can also remain on surfaces for a long time, making it “highly contagious.”
In addition, norovirus appears unresponsive to regular hand sanitizers and disinfectants, making it difficult to prevent effectively.
Regarding treatment of infection, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 14% of swab tests for the virus were positive, especially in the northeastern regions of the United States.
NBC News reports that between 19 and 21 million people are infected with stomach flu every year in America, and cases rise especially in the months of February and March, during holidays and gatherings.
While there is no effective treatment for norovirus, the Center for Disease Control in America recommends drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration, so that the patient overcomes the disease within a few days.
Scientists in the United States believe that the country is currently witnessing the peak of the spread of the virus, and they expect the level of its spread to decrease in the next few weeks.
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