Norovirus has been identified as the highly probable cause of numerous children falling ill in municipal kindergartens in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
Modern.az reports that the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) of Georgia has released information on this matter.
According to the Center, the results of laboratory tests indicate that most of the illness cases are linked to norovirus. However, investigations are still ongoing, and final results will be announced later.
Norovirus is one of the main causes of viral gastroenteritis. The infection is usually accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in some cases, fever. The illness typically resolves within 1-3 days.
The main risk highlighted by experts is dehydration of the p during severe vomiting and diarrhea. According to the NCDC, norovirus accounts for approximately 40-45 percent of viral gastroenteritis cases in Georgia.
Currently, the condition of the sick children is assessed as favorable. No serious or life-threatening complications have been recorded. A large number of children are reported to be in the recovery phase.
Mass illness cases were recorded on September 17-18, shortly after kindergartens in Tbilisi began their new season.
According to information previously provided by Georgian Health Minister Mikheil Sardjveladze, more than 100 children needed hospitalization.
Norovirus-related illness cases were simultaneously recorded in 20 kindergartens in Tbilisi. Seven of them were closed for quarantine purposes.
In light of these mass illness cases in Georgia, parents are advised to pay special attention to fluid loss if symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea are observed in children.
