Alcohol sanitizers cannot kill norovirus, doctor warns

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus, infectious disease specialist Wilson Lam Wai-shun warned, urging the public to avoid consuming raw food.

His call came amid the active period of norovirus, with nine local students contracting the virus after exchange tours in the mainland and multiple outbreaks of food poisoning across Japan.

Speaking on a radio program on Wednesday, Lam noted that norovirus is the leading cause of non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis, thriving in cooler environments and associated with contaminated food and water.

He cited data showing that norovirus activity is significantly higher than before and stressed that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against it.

Lam urged people to maintain good personal hygiene, as norovirus patients are highly contagious in the initial days and may still carry the virus in their stool for weeks after recovery.

He added that norovirus spreads via the fecal-oral route, with indirect contact facilitating person-to-person transmission. 

If a patient vomits, even a small number of viral particles can become airborne over short distances, posing a risk of outbreaks in poorly ventilated environments.

Lam stated that food is the primary route for norovirus transmission, particularly through undercooked items. 

He noted that infected chefs who neglect hygiene can contaminate food and lead to infections. 

The incubation period for norovirus is one to two days, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly fever. Severe complications are rare, and most healthy individuals recover within two to three days. 

Lam urged infected individuals to stay hydrated to prevent dehydration and advised anyone experiencing extreme fatigue, confusion, rapid heartbeat, or decreased or dark urine to seek medical attention.

(Cheng Wong)