norovirus

noun

nor·o·virus | \ ˈnȯr-ə-ˌvī-rəs

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

Examples of norovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Vessel Sanitation Program randomly inspects ships that dock at U.S. ports at least twice a year to help control the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus. — Chabeli Herrera, chicagotribune.com, "More cruise ships failed sanitation inspections in 2017 than any other year," 27 Feb. 2018 According to the Deseret News, parents calling in to report their child absent have been asked to say if their child has experienced potential symptoms of norovirus. — Alexandria Hein, Fox News, "600 Utah students stay home as officials warn of norovirus outbreak," 7 Sep. 2018 The Vessel Sanitation Program randomly inspects ships that dock at U.S. ports at least twice a year to help control the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus. — Chabeli Herrera, chicagotribune.com, "More cruise ships failed sanitation inspections in 2017 than any other year," 27 Feb. 2018 Then there are viruses like norovirus that can contaminate food and water as well. — Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, "These Are the Dirtiest Things in Your Home (Which You Should Clean Immediately)," 21 Dec. 2018 The Vessel Sanitation Program randomly inspects ships that dock at U.S. ports at least twice a year to help control the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus. — Chabeli Herrera, chicagotribune.com, "More cruise ships failed sanitation inspections in 2017 than any other year," 27 Feb. 2018 The city has conducted more than 513 interviews and taken stool samples, but the cause of the illness is still unknown, with tests having come back negative for E. coli, salmonella, and norovirus, according to the Dayton Daily News. — Elly Belle, Teen Vogue, "Over 600 People Got Sick After Eating at Chipotle," 10 Aug. 2018 In that case, health officials confirmed that norovirus, also known as a really nasty kind of stomach flu, was the source of the sickness. — Elly Belle, Teen Vogue, "Over 600 People Got Sick After Eating at Chipotle," 10 Aug. 2018 The Vessel Sanitation Program randomly inspects ships that dock at U.S. ports at least twice a year to help control the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus. — Chabeli Herrera, chicagotribune.com, "More cruise ships failed sanitation inspections in 2017 than any other year," 27 Feb. 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.

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15 Apr 2019

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The first known use of norovirus was in 2002

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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