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

It is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency as a disinfectant and sanitizer that can kill 99.9 percent of salmonella, norovirus, influenza A, staph, and other germs. — Janelle Nanos, BostonGlobe.com, "A Burlington startup lets you make your own nontoxic cleaners at home," 20 June 2019 Chipotle has suffered from bad publicity over food safety, including a multi-state E. coli outbreak in 2015, a norovirus outbreak, rodent sightings and reports of ill workers and customers last year. — Zlati Meyer, USA TODAY, "Chipotle closes its only burger restaurant, Tasty Made, in Ohio," 2 Mar. 2018 Last year brought a norovirus outbreak at one of its Virginia locations, rodent sightings at a Dallas one and reports of ill workers and customers at a Los Angeles restaurant. — Zlati Meyer, USA TODAY, "Chipotle, now helmed by new CEO, is making Wall Street happy," 25 Apr. 2018 The researchers also found that norovirus was responsible for 38 percent of the outbreaks, salmonella was responsible for another 30 percent, and shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli (STEC) was implicated in 6 percent. — Korin Miller, SELF, "These Are the Foods That Cause the Most Illnesses, the CDC Says," 30 July 2018 More than 600 students in Utah stayed home from school on Thursday over concerns about a potential norovirus outbreak. — 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 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

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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8 Jul 2019

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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