Diarrhoea, vomiting lay kids, seniors low as viral stomach flu sweeps Kol

Kolkata: An outbreak of viral gastroenteritis triggered by rotavirus and norovirus has laid hundreds low across Kolkata over the last one week, with symptoms mimicking severe diarrhoea or food poisoning. For most, it is starting with loose motions, followed by repeated vomiting, stomach pain and low fever. While many are taking it to be food poisoning since multiple family members are affected, doctors said they detected viral gastroenteritis in a significant number of patients and concluded that there was an outbreak."Other than multiple viruses that are now in circulation, there is an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis (diarrhoea) caused by Rotavirus A, mainly in the paediatric population and also in adults. We detected around 20 Rotavirus A-positive cases over the last one week," said Peerless Hospital chief microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhury.
As we transition from winter to early summer, a seasonal rise in rotavirus-induced diarrhoea is commonly seen, particularly among kids, said BP Poddar Hospital consultant paediatrician Jitabrata Ray. "Recently, we observed a noticeable spurt in such cases. In the last five days, 27 patients below five years visited our OPD with symptoms suggestive of rotaviral diarrhoea. While most were managed symptomatically, two required admission due to severe fluid loss and dehydration," said Ray.Around 10 patients sought treatment for severe diarrhea and dehydration at Charnock Hospital over the last 10 days. Around 40% of them were admitted due to the severity of symptoms and comorbidities. "The symptoms suggest viral gastroenteritis, though tests are rarely done. While a majority are still treated at the OPD, four out of 10 were admitted due to severe dehydration," said Charnock emergency head Nishant Agarwal.Management remained primarily supportive, said doctors, focusing on oral rehydration therapy, intravenous fluids when required, zinc supplementation and careful monitoring to prevent complications.Techno India DAMA Hospital has received many children with diarrhea who had traces of blood in their stool, said superintendent MS Purkait. At ILS Hospital, too, scores of children have been treated for similar symptoms. "We have started receiving adult patients as well. The mainstay of treatment is adequate fluid replacement and early ORS supplemntation," said consultant physician Sarbajit Ray.While rotavirus triggers gastroenteritis in children, norovirus is responsible for it in adults, said Manipal Hospital infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty. "We received multiple patients every day. The symptoms are similar and usually more severe in elderly people and children. Other than loose motions, it also left patients weak with a persistent low fever. Oral rehydration is the best treatment," added Chakrabarty.