A norovirus outbreak at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown over the weekend forced cancellation of all indoor social events and the cancellation of cafeteria services at all campus dining facilities. Students are experiencing symptoms of chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The University offered prepackaged meals to students. The Wellness Center was closed, and custodial staff cleaned buildings on campus with EPA recommended products before classes resumed today. The illness is believed to be norovirus, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Norovirus is a highly contagious illness that is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in the United States. In addition to the symptoms listed above, anyone sickened by the virus can have muscle … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak At VA Hospital in Oregon
A norovirus outbreak at a Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in Oregon has sickened at least 150 people, according to an update on the Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics' Facebook page. About 125 patients and 25 staff members are ill. Access to the facility is being restricted. Veterans at the facility are being asked to stay in their rooms until they recover. The facility is being cleaned. Norovirus is highly contagious and has an incubation period of 24 hours, and people are contagious for two to three days after symptoms have stopped. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and fever. The illness is usually not very serious and lasts for a few days, but sometimes dehydration can occur, which can require hospitalization. To prevent … [Read more...]
Frozen Strawberries From China Sickened 11,000 in Germany
Frozen strawberries from China sickened 11,000 people in Germany in the fall of 2012, according to a new report. A single caterer distributed the berries within the country, mostly to schools and childcare facilities. In total, children at 390 schools and child care facilities were exposed to the contaminated berries. All of the affected locations served the tainted berries for lunch. The following day, September 27, 2012, reports of illness began pouring in to health agencies. The kitchens at the facilities prepared the frozen strawberries in different ways. In some cases, they were defrosted and sugared. In others, they were poured into boiling water and briefly boiled. In facilities not affected by the outbreak, the kitchens served the strawberries after boiling them. Norovirus … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak Closes Washington Applebee’s Restaurant
A suspected norovirus outbreak has closed the Applebee's restaurant in East Sunset Drive in Bellingham, Washington over the weekend, according to the Bellingham Herald. The restaurant reopened on Sunday afternoon, but closed again today. The restaurant was closed "out of an abundance of caution." Ten to fifteen employees were sent home Friday morning after they called in sick or said they felt sick. Two more food workers reported being ill on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 so the place closed again. Management decided to close the restaurant since they did not know the cause of the illnesses or if any customers could be exposed to a problem. The restaurant was extensively cleaned over the weekend. The total number of people sickened is not known at this time. Symptoms included nausea, … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak Linked to Texas Oysters
A norovirus outbreak is linked to oysters from Texas. The FDA is warning consumers not to eat raw or partially cooked oysters harvested from Copano Bay in Aransas County, Texas, that were harvested between December 26, 2013 and January 9, 2014 because they may contain norovirus. The Texas Department of State Health Services closed the Bay to shellfish harvesting on January 9, 2014. Six norovirus illnesses in Louisiana have been linked to oysters harvested from that Bay and shipped by Alby's Seafood of Fulton, Texas. A recall of the oysters harvested on December 26, 2013 has been issued, but other shellfish harvested from Copano Bay before it was closed may still be in the marketplace. All shellfish dealers, restaurants, retail food establishments, and consumers are advised to check … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak at Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, MN
An apparent norovirus outbreak at Edinburgh USA Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota has occurred, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). At least 75 people have been sickened after attending a banquet for Totino Grace football players on Sunday, December 8, 2013. The food service for the event was Lancer Hospitality. More than 270 people attended the banquet at the clubhouse restaurant. The private Catholic school rented the space for the event. At least 41 adults and 34 students have been sickened in this outbreak. People began experiencing vomiting and diarrhea over a period of two days after the event. State health officials think norovirus is the culprit. The illness usually lasts a few days and most people recover without medical intervention. No … [Read more...]
Vegas Rio Hotel Outbreak was Norovirus
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 … [Read more...]
Apparent Norovirus Outbreak at Stanford University
According to the Stanford Daily, at least fifty-two students have been sickened in an illness outbreak at Stanford University. The outbreak occurred among those who ate at the dining hall in Florence Moore Hall. Four students have been treated for dehydration. Early reports are that the illness is caused by norovirus, a common cause of gastrointestinal infections. Norovirus is commonly spread through unwashed hands, or food or drink contaminated by a person with the virus. It is more common in the cold weather months, when more people stay indoors. The virus is very contagious. It sickens about 20,000,000 people every year in the United States. The illnesses began on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, with students suffering from vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. The dining hall was closed to … [Read more...]
Sawmill Creek Convention Outbreak Caused by Tainted Food
The outbreak at Sawmill Creek Convention Center in Huron Ohio was caused by tainted food, according to the Sandusky Register. Fecal bacteria was found on the ham and turkey lunch meat served to attendees. Almost eighty people were sickened with vomiting, nausea, stomach pains, and diarrhea. Officials suspect norovirus caused the outbreak, but they can't pinpoint the absolute cause. The illnesses began during and after the convention, which was held September 10 - 13, 2013. Test results showed "significant amounts" of fecal bacteria contamination. Almost all of those sickened ate the salad. The food can't be tested for norovirus, but fecal bacteria shows that conditions are ripe for contamination. Norovirus is spread when anyone who is sick doesn't wash their hands well after using … [Read more...]
Blazing Onion in Gig Harbor, WA Voluntarily Closes
Last week the Blazing Onion, a restaurant in Gig Harbor, Washington, voluntarily closed for a short period after the Tacoma Pierce County Department of Health alerted the restaurant to cases of norovirus in people who had eaten at the restaurant, a source at the health department told us. At least eighteen people were sickened in this outbreak, some of whom did not eat at the restaurant. At least one person was hospitalized as the result of this illness. The restaurant was closed for one day while it was cleaned and sanitized. Norovirus is extremely contagious and causes vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headache, and abdominal pain. In addition, the infectious dose of the virus is very low. People with norovirus are usually hospitalized because of dehydration or other complications. … [Read more...]
