norovirus

noun nor·o·virus \ ˈnȯr-ə-ˌvī-rəs \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Definition of norovirus

: any of a genus (Norovirus) of small, round, single-stranded RNA viruses that includes a single species (species Norwalk virus) with various strains causing gastroenteritis in people and animals (such as cows, pigs, and dogs)

People spread the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth or having direct contact with another person who is infected.
—Cherie Black

Note: In people, noroviruses cause gastroenteritis marked chiefly by sudden onset diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

— see norwalk virus

Recent Examples of norovirus from the Web

Now Nearly 200 people in Canada have reported gastrointestinal illness associated with the outbreak, and multiple people there have tested positive for norovirus, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "Canadian Raw Oysters Are Behind a Norovirus Outbreak in California," 3 May 2018
Following an April 17 visit to the aquarium, about 15 kindergartners from a Chicago parochial school experienced norovirus-like symptoms, although none of the 52 students from St. Clement School ate food there, according to the Chicago Archdiocese.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Food at Shedd not reason more than 100 Andrew High students got sick after prom: health officials," 11 May 2018
Earlier in the Olympics, about 1,200 security workers were sequestered over norovirus fears, forcing the military to step in to help with security.

— USA TODAY, "The Latest: Luge win keeps Germany atop gold medal standings," 12 Feb. 2018
About 12 to 48 hours after contracting the virus, norovirus’s symptoms — nausea, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, collectively called acute gastroenteritis — set in.

— matthew ormseth, courant.com, "Western Connecticut State University Closes Monday After Norovirus Sickens 100 Students," 23 Apr. 2018
Despite a cyberattack during the opening ceremony, an outbreak of norovirus and the official suspension of the Russian team for doping violations, the Games went off smoothly.

— motoko rich, New York Times, "With Olympics Over, Team Korea Goes Back to Being 2 Countries," 25 Feb. 2018
What do an Olympic outbreak of norovirus in Pyeongchang, a death from Lassa fever in Guinea, and a severe eruption of flu in the United States have in common?

— clifton leaf, Fortune, "When It Comes to the Tiniest Killers, Defense Is the Best Offense," 12 Feb. 2018
University officials estimate between 100 and 200 students were affected by the norovirus outbreak, which, when first reported last Friday, mystified school health officials.

— matthew ormseth, courant.com, "Western Connecticut State University Closes Monday After Norovirus Sickens 100 Students," 23 Apr. 2018
The ordeal began last month after a norovirus outbreak put the unit on medical restriction.

— keri blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Huntsville prison hunger strike ‘essentially’ over, officials say," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'norovirus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of norovirus

New Latin, from English Norwalk virus + New Latin -o- + virus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 2002

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

norovirus

noun nor·o·virus \ ˌnȯr-ō-ˈvī-rəs \

medical Definition of norovirus

1 capitalized : a genus of small, round, single-stranded, highly infectious RNA viruses that includes a single species (species Norwalk virus) with various strains causing gastroenteritis in people and animals (such as cows and dogs)

2 : any virus of the genus Norovirus

People spread the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth or having direct contact with another person who is infected.
—Cherie Black, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 29 Dec. 2006

Note: In people, noroviruses cause gastroenteritis marked chiefly by sudden onset, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

— see norwalk virus