State health minister Veena George has called upon the people of Kerala to be on high alert after norovirus was reported in the state. The rare norovirus was reported among 13 students of a veterinary college in Pookode in Wayanad district of the state two weeks ago. After the health department reported that the virus could be dangerous among children and the elderly, health minister Veena George on Friday had chaired a meeting of doctors and health department officials and called upon the people to be vigilant.

Doctors warned that the elderly and pregnant women should take extra precautions against the disease and wash hands thoroughly before eating. The norovirus which is also known as the 'winter vomiting bug' is highly infectious and spreads easily among people leading to diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach ache. Health department doctors said that the disease is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person, contaminated food or touching a contaminated surface, and putting unwashed hands in the mouth.