Virus that brings severe vomiting, diarrhea found in Stanislaus. Here are steps to avoid it
Move over, COVID-19. The norovirus stomach illness is reemerging as a public threat that people should try to avoid.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has charted a rise in norovirus outbreaks in the United States in February, eclipsing the level recorded in March 2022.
The virus has been climbing to high levels in the U.S. western region since the first half of January, as people have dropped precautions against COVID-19.
Stanislaus County hasn’t seen recent outbreaks of norovirus, and individual cases usually are not reported to local health officials. The last norovirus outbreak was reported in June 2022, infecting 14 people.
But the Healthy Central Valley Together program is testing wastewater for the virus, revealing norovirus activity in Modesto and Turlock, said Kamlesh Kaur, a county health educator.
The norovirus stands out for being extremely contagious and for severe bouts of vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.
Fast-spreading outbreaks infecting hundreds of people are known for bringing cruise ships back to port or sending kids home early from youth camp.
The California Department of Public Health says the stomach virus is a challenge because it survives for weeks on counter tops, phones, furniture and other surfaces.
Health experts estimate more than 20 million illnesses across the country each year, resulting in 56,000 to 71,000 people admitted to hospitals and 570 to 800 deaths. Norovirus infections are most common from November to April.
People catch the virus through contact with a sick person, sharing food or eating utensils, changing the diapers of an infected child, touching contaminated surfaces, from toilet facilities or cleaning up vomit and diarrhea.
Symptoms begin within 48 hours of contracting the virus and last for three days. According to CDPH, an infected person is contagious for at least a few days after recovery and may be able to spread the virus to others for two weeks or longer.
There is no treatment for norovirus. People are advised to drink fluids to prevent dehydration while they are riding out the stomach illness. Those with signs of dehydration should see a doctor.
To prevent the illness:
- Wash hands with soap and water after using the restroom, changing a child’s diapers and before eating.
- Wash fruits and vegetables and thoroughly cook shellfish before eating.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces contaminated by vomiting or diarrhea with one cup of regular bleach in a gallon of water.
- Stay home from school or work if you are sick.
More information on norovirus is available online from the California Department of Public Health and the CDC’s norovirus webpage.
This story was originally published February 16, 2023 at 11:27 AM.
