High levels of an #infection in #Massachusetts is causing both gastrointestinal (#diarrhoea, #vomiting) & respiratory (#cough, #sinus, #headache) symptoms WITHOUT typical fever or runny nose - School children & parents/guardians across #boston suburbs affected for last 3 weeks.
Note the CDC data suggests very little SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron) or influenza (flu) at this time in Massachusetts or Connecticut or New Hampshire. So diagnostic tests being used are not catching this circulating pathogen, or a seasonal coronavirus/norovirus/adenovirus is the culprit
According to the data on SARS-CoV-2-positive PCR tests there is very low levels of COVID-19 over last 3 weeks in Massachusetts, CT, NH, RI & VT. Yet there are several #school #children, #teachers and #parents with gastrointestinal & respiratory #infection symptoms in these states
4) Likewise, according to MA Dept of Public Health, influenza like illness (ILI) is "minimal but increasing" (H3N2). Yet several #school #children, #teachers & #parents reporting gastrointestinal & respiratory #infection symptoms in MA, CT, NH, RI. Need more flu & omicron testing
5) More details on stomach bug (norovirus) infections from the @MayoClinic -- mayoclinic.org/diseases-condi…
Important to ensure hydration in Norovirus-infected or Norovirus-suspected children (and adults) with vomiting or diarrhea. Please talk to your #pediatrician and #school nurses.
6) #Google trends not indicative of any significant uptick for search queries involving stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea or fever over the last month across the states of #USA
7) Let us learn some biology on Norovirus (#stomachbug) & SARS-CoV-2 (#COVID #Omicron). The cell entry "receptor" for Norovirus is human protein CD300LF while for SARS-CoV-2 it is ACE2 (+TMPRSS2 also needed). Here is evidence from the @_nference software (nference.com)
8) Turns out that both Stomach bug/Norovirus receptor (CD300LF) & SARS-CoV-2 receptor (ACE2+TMPRSS2) are expressed in human lung cells & intestinal cells. Explains why #stomachbug & #COVID can both cause respiratory & gastrointestinal symptoms (evidence from
@_nference software)
Parents of school-going & daycare children across US Atlantic coast reporting many cases of gastrointestinal (stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting), respiratory (sore throat, sinus) & headache symptoms.
Stay hydrated+safe parents & teachers (MA NH CT RI VT NY MD NC SC GA FL)
10) This is from #UK but applicable to US also - “We had virtually no #Flu all through the fall & #winter & in the last 10 days we’ve had 22 positives,” he said. “Its occurring exactly where you’d expect it to occur. Its related to #publichealth measures”
chathamthisweek.com/news/local-new…
13) wmur.com/article/flu-no…
Flu on the rise in NH among children after COVID restrictions eased #flu #COVID19 #children #school #teacher #parent #masks
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