Norwalk virus

noun

Nor·​walk virus ˈnȯr-ˌwȯk- How to pronounce Norwalk virus (audio)
: a highly infectious virus first identified as the causative agent of an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio in 1968

Note: Norwalk virus was later officially classified as a norovirus (species Norwalk virus). While the originally identified virus and closely related forms may still be referred to as Norwalk viruses, they are now more commonly called noroviruses.

Examples of Norwalk virus in a Sentence

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The Norwalk virus! —Mark Shimabukuro, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Norwalk, Ohio, site of an outbreak of the virus in 1968

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Norwalk virus was in 1983

Dictionary Entries Near Norwalk virus

Norwalk

Norwalk virus

norward

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“Norwalk virus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Norwalk%20virus. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

Norwalk virus

noun
Nor·​walk virus ˈnȯ(ə)r-ˌwȯk- How to pronounce Norwalk virus (audio)
variants also Norwalk agent
: a highly infectious virus first identified as the causative agent of an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio in 1968

Note: Norwalk virus was later officially classified as a norovirus (species Norwalk virus). While the originally identified virus and closely related forms may still be referred to as Norwalk viruses, they are now more commonly called noroviruses.

Norwalk viruses are important causes of both sporadic and epidemic gastroenteritis.—Melvin A. Kohn, The Journal of the American Medical Association
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