Norovirus the cause of outbreak at Pioneer Primary School

31 Jul 2007

Investigations by the Ministry of Health (MOH) has established that norovirus was the cause of the gastroenteritisoutbreak at Pioneer Primary School. The source of the infection is still to be determined.

As at 31st July, there were a total of 145 cases comprising 110 students in the morning session, 26 students in the afternoon session and 9 staff, including 2 food handlers. The last case had disease onset on 27 July and there have been no more cases since. The disease is self-limiting and most people recover within 1 - 2 days. None was hospitalized.

MOH, together with the National Environment Agency (NEA), had conducted a joint inspection on 25 July 07, immediately after receiving notification.  As a precautionary measure, the principal had voluntarily closed the school canteen.

The school has been advised to clean the entire school compound. They were also advised to introduce screening measures before the start of class to identify and isolate ill students early.

Public urged to be vigilant against diarrhoeal illnesses

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that can cause "gastric flu" or viral gastroenteritis. The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea and abdominal pain. At times people also have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults.

The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. However, the illness is usually not serious. Most people get better within 1-2 days, and they have no long-term health effects related to their illness.

Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:

• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.

• Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth.

• Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, when caring for someone with illness, or sharing food or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

Noroviruses are very contagious. As the infection can spread easily from person to person, MOH advises all to be vigilant with hygiene measures.  Those with symptoms suggestive of viral gastroenteritis should be managed with proper infection control measures. MOH also advises persons who are having symptoms suggestive of viral gastroenteritis to refrain from attending school or work until they are well. Frequent hand washing is a simple precautionary measure that each one of us should routinely adopt.

For more information on preventive measures, please check out MOH website at www.moh.gov.sg