Foshan: A sudden outbreak of norovirus has struck a senior high school in southern China, infecting 103 students and raising fresh concerns about seasonal viral threats in the region.
Local health authorities in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, confirmed on Saturday that students at Xinghui Middle School developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, primarily severe vomiting and diarrhoea — classic signs of a norovirus infection. Reassuringly, no cases have turned critical, and there have been no fatalities; all affected students are reported to be in stable condition.
The school campus has been thoroughly sanitised, while health monitoring of the students continues. The Guangdong Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting an epidemiological survey to identify the source and stop further spread.
Officials noted that Guangdong enters its annual norovirus epidemic season from October to March, aligning with the winter peak when the highly contagious virus thrives in colder months. Globally, norovirus infects around 685 million people each year, including nearly 200 million children under five, leading to approximately 200,000 deaths (about 50,000 among children) and economic losses of roughly $60 billion.
The virus, first identified in a major outbreak in Norwalk, Ohio, USA, in 1968 (hence initially called Norwalk virus), remains one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide, spreading rapidly through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or close contact.
This incident serves as a timely reminder of the need for strict hygiene protocols during peak seasons, even as China remains vigilant against recurring health challenges