IDPH offers tips to avoid norovirus outbreaks | Health

(KFVS) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say more than 80 percent of norovirus outbreaks occur from November to April. The norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea and is very contagious.

The CDC estimates that more than 20 million people, or about one in every 15 Americans, are infected with norovirus.

“Norovirus is the most common cause of stomach illness in the country,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “However, the easiest way to avoid becoming ill is to wash your hands.  Viruses can contaminate surfaces and objects touched by someone who is ill. If your hand then comes in contact with your mouth, chances are you will end up becoming ill.” 

Norovirus can spread quickly from person to person in crowded places like schools, long-term care facilities and daycare centers. A person who is ill and prepares or serves catered meals or food in a restaurant can contaminate food, causing others to become ill.

Symptoms of norovirus infection usually include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramping. Other, less common symptoms may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and general sense of fatigue. Norovirus illness is usually not serious and most people are better in a day or two. But, norovirus illness can be serious in young children, the elderly and people with other health conditions. According to the CDC, norovirus causes more than 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths in the U.S. each year. 

Tips from the IDPH for avoiding norovirus include:

• Frequently wash your hands, especially after toileting and before eating or preparing food.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately using a bleach-based cleaner. Or use one part bleach to nine parts water (1:10 dilution).
• Increase the frequency of cleaning high touch surfaces such as door knobs.
• Do not work as a food handler while you are ill with diarrhea or vomiting.

For more information on norovirus, log onto www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbnorovirus.htm.

Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.