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New virus variants Norovirus is spreading rapidly throughout Germany
Already last fall, an unusually high prevalence of norovirus infections had been reported. The trend continued in the new year. At the beginning of 2017, about twice as many people fell ill as in the previous year. According to experts, a new type of virus is responsible for the increase in cases of illness.
Rapid spread
Already at the end of last year, it became clear that Norovirus is spreading faster this winter than in previous years. Now, experts report that this is apparently related to a new virus variant. According to the Berlin Robert Koch Institute (RKI), this has been proven in sporadic infections as well as in outbreaks in nine federal states.
According to recent studies, the strong spread of noroviruses this winter is related to a new virus variant. Infected people suffer from abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. (Image: JackF / fotolia.com) New norovirus variant detected
From September to December last year, the experts had examined a total of 240 samples from 13 federal states.
In the most recent epidemiological bulletin of the RKI it says: "In 240 examined and genotyped samples, a new emerging Norovirus variant could be detected, which was not previously described in Germany in cases of outbreaks or sporadic cases.".
According to the data, about 40 to 50 percent of these norovirus diseases were caused by the new virus type GII.P16-GII.2. This had also occurred in other countries such as France, Finland, Russia, Australia, Japan and China.
Infection hits people surprisingly fast
An infection with Norovirus usually hits people surprisingly fast and violently. According to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), the disease suddenly begins with violent diarrhea, nausea and giddy vomiting.
In addition, there is often a strong sense of malady with muscle and abdominal pain, occasionally with mild fever and headache.
"The strong refractive diarrhea can quickly lead to a lack of fluid in the body, which can be noticeable by a pronounced weakness or dizziness," writes the BZgA. Most complaints resolve completely after one to two days.
Almost twice as many diseases
Even before Christmas, relatively high levels were observed weekly with more than 5,000 reported cases nationwide.
According to the latest report, a total of around 13,700 diseases were registered in Germany in the first four weeks of 2017. That was almost twice as many as in the same period last year. However, not all cases are reported.
Experts had long ago suspected that a new variant could be behind this development.
The virus is not more dangerous than usual. "It can only better hide from the immune system, so that more people get sick," said an RKI spokeswoman recently, the news agency dpa reports. According to the institute, it is normal for norovirus to be more prevalent in some years than others.
How to protect yourself
Noroviruses are highly contagious. Therefore, the diseases are most often found in community facilities such as kindergartens, schools, nursing homes and hospitals. Young children and seniors are particularly at risk.
In order to prevent contagion, attention must be paid to conscientious hygiene. The most effective protection against infection is frequent and careful hand washing.
Each towel should be used by one person only. In addition, household surfaces should be cleaned regularly and used cleaning cloths should be used only once if possible.
Infected people should avoid crowding, stay at home, and cure the disease. (Ad)