Public Health Officials in Washoe County, Nevada have released a document telling consumers how to stop the norovirus outbreak in their area. The outbreak has sickened more than 1,400 people by the latest count.
Officials say that hand washing, exclusion, and environmental cleansing may help stop the illness. Norovirus is highly contagious. The virus causes stomach aches, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. This is the longest running outbreak in the county. Most illnesses are in elementary schools and day care facilities.
Washoe County District Health Officer Dr. Joseph Iser said in a statement, “every school and day care has complied with our exclusion and cleaning requirements. We have even closed our investigations in some of the first schools that reported the outbreak. But, more schools and day cares have seen an increase in cases, and because norovirus is so contagious, we are asking that all Washoe County residents increase their vigilance when it comes to personal, family, and home sanitation. And, please, if you are sick, stay home.”
It’s critical that people wash their hands correctly in warm, soapy water. Wash for 20 seconds, rinse hands well, then dry hands using a paper towel or air dryer. Sick people should be excluded from school, work, and all public or social activities. the Health District requires that ill students, staff, and faculty remain at home for at least 24 hours if they experience nausea or stomach ache. If no other symptoms occur during that time frame they can return to school. But if vomiting, diarrhea, or fever occur, patients must be excluded from school for 72 hours after symptoms have subsided. Finally, schools and households must sanitize any area within a 25-foot radius where vomiting or diarrhea has occurred with a bleach solution.
