Norovirus Spread in China... Over 100 Elementary Students Infected in Haerbin

Infections Occur Across China Starting in October

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] It has been revealed that over 100 students at an elementary school in Heilongjiang Province, China, were infected with norovirus, causing authorities to be on high alert.

According to Xinhua News Agency on the 1st, since the 29th of last month, students at an elementary school in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, have consecutively shown symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

Local epidemic prevention authorities' investigation found that the students were infected with norovirus, and the school closed on the 30th of last month and conducted online classes at home. As of the afternoon of the previous day, about 80 students were reported to have recovered from symptoms.

Authorities are conducting disinfection operations within the school and are investigating the cause of this infection.

Norovirus is a major cause of acute viral gastroenteritis, infecting approximately 685 million people worldwide annually, and is increasingly emerging as a public health issue in China as well.

In China, on October 29th, many children at a kindergarten in Liaoning Province were infected with this virus, leading to a temporary closure of the kindergarten. On the 13th of last month, over 30 students at a middle school in Fujian Province were infected, resulting in school closure, and on the 25th of last month, about 50 children at a kindergarten in Sichuan Province were infected.

There is currently no commercially available norovirus vaccine, but Chinese authorities reportedly approved clinical trials for a vaccine in February of last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.