The number of cases of infectious gastroenteritis in Tokyo is higher than usual.
At each facility where there is a risk of outbreaks, please take measures by paying attention to the hygiene management of the facility.

Every year, from November to May in Tokyo, many outbreaks of "infectious gastroenteritis" with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting as the main symptoms are reported mainly at nursery schools.

Arakawa Ward infectious disease outbreak information (updated weekly) (opens in a new window)

What is infectious gastroenteritis?

Infectious gastroenteritis is an infectious disease characterized by vomiting and diarrhea caused by bacteria and viruses. It is often caused by viral infections (such as "norovirus" and "rotavirus"), and is prevalent in autumn and winter when the air is dry and cold. In particular, when norovirus is the cause, it is necessary to be careful as it may spread in groups such as schools, nursery schools, and social welfare facilities.

Infection route and symptoms

Infection route

Infectious gastroenteritis caused by norovirus is divided into human-to-human transmission and food poisoning caused by contaminated food, and there are the following infection routes.

1. When norovirus enters the mouth through fingers that have touched the stool or vomit of an infected person
2. When the stool or vomit dries up and becomes fine dust, and the virus is taken into the body along with the dust.
3. When an infected person eats food that has been cooked without washing their hands thoroughly
4. Eating bivalve molluscs such as oysters and corbicula that have norovirus in their internal organs, raw or insufficiently heat-treated

Cooks need to be especially careful because norovirus is excreted with feces for about a week after symptoms such as diarrhea have disappeared.

symptoms

With diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, the duration of symptoms is 1 to 2 days in the case of norovirus, but in the case of rotavirus it may persist for 5 to 6 days.
If you have persistent diarrhea or vomiting, try to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Infants and the elderly are more likely to become seriously ill, so if you experience symptoms of dehydration, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Prevention method

Thorough hand washing

Wash your hands with soap and water after going out, after using the toilet, and before preparing food or eating.
(Alcohol disinfection is not effective.)

hand washing is the most important

Sufficient cooking of food

Heating at 85°C or higher for 90 seconds or more will eliminate the infectivity. Heat the food thoroughly to the center.

To prevent the spread of infection

Proper disposal of vomit

When processing, wear disposable gloves, a mask, and an apron, and gently wipe off with a paper towel while ventilating. Since vomit scatters over a long distance, disinfect a wide area. Always wash hands with soap and running water after handling.

Disinfection method

Alcohol disinfection is ineffective.

Wipe off contaminated floors and toilet seats with a 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution. Paper towels, etc. after wiping off must be sealed in a plastic bag and disposed of as combustible garbage.

Remove soiled feces and vomit from contaminated clothing and bedding, soak in 0.02% sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution for 30 to 60 minutes, or soak in hot water (85°C or higher) for 90 seconds or longer, and wash with other laundry. Wash separately. Rinse well and dry in the sun or use a dryer for effective results.

• Method (brochure for families) of hand-washing, sterilization (link to the outside site) (open with the other window)
• Method (standard manual digest version for norovirus in social welfare facilities) of hand-washing, sterilization (link to the outside site) (open with the other window)

Related information

• Tokyo infectious disease information center: Infectious gastroenteritis/norovirus (link to the outside site) (open with the other window)
• Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare: Q&A (we link to the outside site) about norovirus (we open with the other window)