Vomiting Virus outbreak,Vomiting Virus Outbreak: Thousands of German School Children Sick, Norovirus Linked to Cafeteria Food, A vomiting virus outbreak has come to affect thousands of German school children over the past few days, and although the exact cause of the outbreak is still unknown, the sickness has been linked to the consumption of cafeteria food products. Germany health authorities now believe that approximately 8,400 children experiencing symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea have been affected by the norovirus. The vomiting virus outbreak seemed to occur when children consumed food from German school cafeterias or daycare centers.
While symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, fever, headaches, and body aches, the Berlin health department claims most of the illnesses are moderate and most children recover in a few days without having to be hospitalized. Scientists hope to discover the cause of the vomiting virus outbreak by conducting lab experiments. Many believe the outbreak may have been caused from one single food item served in school/daycare cafeterias, leading to a norovirus infection (the Robert Koch Institute confirmed to the AP that a single food supplier delivered to all the facilities where the outbreak occurred). Norovirus is a water and food-borne illness that can be transmitted through fecal-oral route contaminated food or water and person-to-person contact. The infection generally affects closed or semi-closed communities. Health authorities recommend that school children pack their own school lunches during the vomiting virus outbreak. Those already affected should remain hydrated and stay away from sugary beverages, which could make symptoms of diarrhea worse.