 Noroviruses are a group of related viruses that affect the
intestinal tract, causing gastroenteritis illness."While often
called the 'stomach flu,' this gastrointestinal illness is not the
seasonal flu that we vaccinate for and that circulates during the
winter months," according to Mark Hilliard, administrator at the
health department.
Everyone can decrease their chances of coming in contact with
norovirus by following these preventive steps:
-
Frequently wash
your hands, especially after toileting or changing diapers and
before eating or preparing food.
-
Carefully wash
fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
-
Thoroughly clean
and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode
of diarrhea or vomiting by using a bleach-based household
cleaner. If using liquid household bleach prepared daily, one
part bleach to nine parts water (1:10 dilution) is recommended.
-
Immediately remove
and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with feces
or vomitus (use hot water and soap).
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-
Flush or discard
vomitus and stool in the toilet and make sure that the
surrounding area is kept clean.
-
People who are infected with norovirus
should refrain from food preparation while they have symptoms
and for three days after they recover from their illness. People
can transmit the virus for up to three days (72 hours) after
becoming symptom-free.
It is important to emphasize to children that hand washing and
avoiding touching the nose, eyes and mouth are the first lines of
defense from not only norovirus, but upper respiratory infections
that are particularly troublesome at this time of the year.
[Text from file received from
the
Logan County Department of Public
Health]
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