News & Events Links
+ Community Calendar
+ Spotlight on Health
+ Just Wash Your Hands and Tell Germs to
Bug Off!
+ Great Beginnings Baby Fair
Quick Facts:
Norovirus (a.k.a. The Stomach Flu)
Norovirus refers to a group of viruses that are a common cause of the “stomach flu” or gastroenteritis in the United States. It is found in the stool or vomit of infected people and contaminated surfaces that have been touched by ill people. People can become infected if they touch contaminated items and then touch their mouths. Contaminated food and water are also a source of transmission.
Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, sudden onset of vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain which may appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) offers six simple steps to protect families against norovirus.
1) Practice Proper Hand Hygiene
Frequent hand hygiene is always the best defense. This includes washing hands with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Clean hands frequently – especially before eating, after changing diapers and before preparing food.
2) Clean with Bleach
Norovirus can survive three to four weeks on contaminated surfaces. Thoroughly disinfect -- if you’ve had the bug or someone in the household is ill, use a bleach-containing cleaner or mix a solution of 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water to disinfect all surfaces. Wear disposable gloves, and don’t forget “frequent touch” surfaces like door knobs, light switches and toilet flushing handles. After cleaning, dispose of or sanitize cleaning cloths in hot water and bleach.
3) Food and Water Safety
Avoid joining an estimated 9.2 million cases of foodborne norovirus infections each year by preventing food contamination. Always wash raw food before eating and don’t eat food prepared by someone who is ill or who has been ill within the last two to three days. Never share utensils such as forks and spoons, drinking glasses or bottles and don’t eat food from a shared source (e.g., popcorn or candy in a bowl, etc.)
4) Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry
Direct contact with a sick person is not required to contaminate soft surfaces. Norovirus can spread from a contaminated pillowcase to a clean towel in a pile of laundry. To disinfect laundry, wash with hot water and dry on “high.” Discard solid waste (vomitus/stool) in the toilet. Close the lid when flushing as the virus can be transmitted through the spray of the toilet flushing.
5) Contain Outbreaks
Immediately quarantine those who are sick, stay home if you are ill and don’t send sick children to school or group activities. Make sure to disinfect everything from the washing machine to the bleach bottle and wear disposable gloves while cleaning.
6) Prevent Outbreaks
Don’t wait for an outbreak to occur to clean up. Ward off norovirus by maintaining a clean household and by regular disinfection of surfaces.
Visit CDC website for more information.
