Norovirus should not be taken lightly

Dubai: The UAE needs to pay more attention to norovirus, a very common but often overlooked food-borne virus that causes diarrhoea and vomiting, said a US food safety expert.

Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that spreads through faecal matter. It can transfer from an infected person to surfaces, food or people. In addition to diarrhoea and vomiting, it also causes stomach cramps and chills.

Dr Ameen Mokhtari, research environmental specialist and food safety expert at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, told delegates at the recent Food Safety Conference that the virus sickens people more often than salmonella and E. coli.

"Norovirus is more relevant to the UAE as more people eat out at restaurants [here]. It is the leading cause of food-borne illnesses in many rich countries," he said.

"You know food poisoning cases cited as "other"? That's usually norovirus," he added.

Comprehensive data is not available as the virus usually goes unreported in healthy people. In the UAE, salmonella tops the list of identified food pathogens, while food poisoning cases from unknown reasons or causes number more.

Dr Mokhtari said health officials in many countries make the mistake of assuming the incidence of norovirus is low as affected people could take days to develop the symptoms.

The virus is also seldom life-threatening; people usually recover after one night of discomfort, which makes them less likely to report an incident to the authorities.

"We only find out if there are cluster outbreaks [in families or neighbourhoods]," he said.

He said, with that in mind, food handlers have to be extra careful in making sure they are not passing on the virus, while businesses should not allow employees to work while sick.

"I understand the econ-omic situation in the region - people will still go to work even if they are sick because they are worried about losing their pay. Plus food-handlers tend to be less educated and aware [of health issues]," he told Gulf News.

His work has brought him to the UAE on many occasions, requiring him to stay here for a few months.

"I've found some restaurants here that are good and a few that I was like, 'Oh my ... I'm going to die after this'," he added jokingly.

He said businesses should provide a healthcare plan in which employees would not fear reporting ill and provide separate toilet facilities for employees. Doing so would help businesses flourish as it increases public confidence, he added.