The Southern Nevada Health District has confirmed that the outbreak at the Rio Hotel that sickened about 100 people was norovirus. Most people sickened were part of the National Youth Football Championship.
Norovirus is very common, especially among groups in close contact with each other, such as people on cruise ships and in hotels, day care centers, and schools. The virus is very contagious. Symptoms of a norovirus infection include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Symptoms usually appear one to two days after exposure. People are infectious when symptoms begin, until about three days after symptoms abate. Some people can be contagious two weeks after they get better.
Public health officials are still getting calls from ill persons associated with that event and those who stayed at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, as well as from people who stayed at different hotels. Public health officials continue to investigate the outbreak. All hotels are asked to report illnesses to the health district.
Most people get better after a norovirus infection within a few days. Some people, however, can have serious complications, including dehydration. Children and older adults are most susceptible to complications.
