Shanghai high school food poisoning continues despite official assurance

Recently, a school in Shanghai experienced a food poisoning incident, with some students confirmed to be infected with the Norovirus. On March 19, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminded that the Norovirus is still circulating in March, urging people to be cautious and take preventive measures.

According to a report by JiMu News, on the 19th, netizens posted videos online reflecting that after lunch on the 18th, several students at the Shanghai Foreign Language University Affiliated Fengxian Experimental High School experienced symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

A netizen commented on the video section, saying, “I am a student at this school. Yesterday and today, I have vomited four times already, and the student closest to me also vomited, with one person even vomiting bile directly.”

On the morning of the 19th, staff from the Fengxian District Education Bureau confirmed that around 2 p.m. on the 18th, some students at the school did indeed experience vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea after lunch. Samples from the cafeteria have been sent for testing. The number of people showing similar symptoms is still being verified, with some students already confirmed to be infected with the Norovirus.

The Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention had previously issued a reminder on its official WeChat account, stating that March is still in the high incidence period of Norovirus, which remains highly contagious at this stage.

In the afternoon of the 19th, the Chinese National Health Commission held a press conference. Researcher Chang Zhaorui from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the Norovirus is still circulating in March. Those infected should rest at home as much as possible, reduce close contact with others, and schools and kindergartens, where people gather, are high-risk places for the Norovirus. It is essential to ensure food and drinking water safety, regularly clean and disinfect the environment, properly handle vomit, and enhance the awareness and ability of teachers and students to protect themselves.

Recently, news about “family members suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, being vigilant against Norovirus” has been trending. On February 16, a man in Guangdong said that his wife was infected with the Norovirus after using a public restroom.

In early March, several Hong Kong school teachers and students who had participated in exchange activities in mainland China returned to Hong Kong with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. The President of the Hong Kong Society for Infectious Diseases, Lam Wai-son, suspected that the incident may be related to the recent active Norovirus.

On the 13th, Lam Wai-son mentioned on a Hong Kong radio program that the Norovirus causing acute gastroenteritis has been very active recently, and it cannot be ruled out that students were already infected before departure.

Norovirus infection causes viral gastroenteritis, commonly known as “winter vomiting disease.” The most common symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea, followed by nausea, abdominal pain, headache, and fever, with severe cases possibly leading to dehydration. Children primarily experience vomiting, while adults tend to have more diarrhea. The peak season for Norovirus infection in mainland China is from October to March the following year.