Billygan's Roadhouse in Salmon Creek, Washington was closed Friday when at least 22 customers developed gastroenteritis. According to KOIN Local 6, the Clark County Public Health Department closed the Vancouver-area restaurant for at least 48 hours. Last year, a Salmonella Virchow outbreak closed the On the Border Mexican restaurant in Vancouver when at least 113 people were sickened. County Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu ordered the closure so the restaurant could be cleaned and sanitized. All possibly contaminated food was discarded. Public health officials are making sure that all food safety measures, including hand-washing stations and food handling laws, are being followed. There is no word on if any of the ill individuals required hospitalization. Gastroenteritis is most commonly … [Read more...]
Norovirus Most Common Stomach Virus For Kids
Norovirus is the leading cause of intestinal illness among children, according to a new study by researchers in Texas. Rotavirus had previously been in the top spot, but the rotavirus vaccine slashed the prevalence of pediatric cases by 64 percent, the researchers found. The researchers studied an eight and a half year span at the Texas Children’s Hospital surrounding the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine. After the vaccine, rotavirus cases were reduced by almost two thirds leaving norovirus in the top spot. Norovirus causes frequent intense bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. Although it is not a flu virus, it is sometimes called the stomach flu, or winter vomiting disease, cruise ship virus or Norwalk. It is extremely contagious and is known to cause outbreaks in close quarters … [Read more...]
Norovirus: What Food Handlers Should Know
Norovirus, an uber contagious bug that causes repeated, intense bouts of diarrhea and vomiting, is responsible about half of all food poisoning cases every year in the United States. It goes by a variety of names: stomach flu, winter vomiting disease, cruise ship virus, and Norwalk. It takes only a few particles of the virus to cause illness and the virus is very successful at setting up shop once it makes its way into the host. The virus is also very contagious and easily spreads person-to-person, as well as though contaminated food and surfaces. Any food handled by someone infected with norovirus can be contaminated. That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published information for food handlers on how to prevent the spread of the disease. First off is … [Read more...]
North Park Deli in California Reopens After Closure for Norovirus
Contra Costa County environmental health officials in California closed the North Park Deli in Concord last week for norovirus. Two employees tested positive for the virus. Public health officials started investigating the restaurants after 48 people who ate food at an event catered by the deli became ill. The restaurant reopened February 1, 2013 after a thorough cleaning. According to KTVU.com, the county's environmental health department director Marilyn Underwood said the catered event was held at a local biotech company. Those who were sickened "ate common food, at a common place so we came to the North Park deli and talked with the employees there, suspecting one of them had come to work sick. We found that one had come to work sick to their stomach and had worked that day," she … [Read more...]
New Strain of Norovirus Appears in U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that a new strain of norovirus called GII.4 Sydney has appeared in the United States. Norovirus is the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis in this country. Those who develop serious complications from the disease are young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. In the past ten years, new GII.4 strains have emerged every two to three years, replacing older strains. When these new strains appear there is usually increased outbreak activity. GII.4 Sydney has caused 53% of the norovirus outbreaks reported in September-December 2012 through CaliciNet, an electronic laboratory surveillance network. Scientists believe the virus originated in Australia and was first detected there in March … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreaks at Vancouver Hospitals Under Control
Two units at New Westminster's Royal Columbian Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia and one unit at Vancouver General Hospital have been struck by a norovirus outbreak. All three units were closed to prevent the spread of the virus. The CBC reports that 12 patients and 6 staff members were sickened. The Vancouver Sun reports that two more hospitals have recently experienced outbreaks and containment protocols have been established to prevent the spread of the disease. Until a patient has been free of symptoms for 24 hours, they will be kept in the ward. Norovirus is extremely contagious. It inflames the lining of the stomach, causing symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms occur suddenly and usually last a few days. It can be spread person-to-person, through … [Read more...]
“Vomiting Larry” Shows How Far Barf And Norovirus Can Travel
Vomiting Larry is a barfing machine. And anyone who's ever had norovirus knows exactly how that feels, even if Larry doesn't. Thank goodness for Larry that he is an actual machine and can't feel a thing, because his job is to get loaded up with fluorescent vomitus and spew it so scientists at the UK's Health and Safety Laboratory can measure the distance his barf droplets travel to see how norovirus is spread and to prove once and for all that there really are fun jobs in the world of science. Thanks to Larry's efforts we know that barf droplets, many of which are invisible to the naked eye, can travel more than three meters, or almost 10 feet. Each of these droplets contains thousands of particles of virus that can live for weeks on hard surfaces. It takes fewer than 20 particles to … [Read more...]
Outbreaks on Two Cruise Ships in the Caribbean
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that there are illness outbreaks on two Christmas cruises in the Caribbean. One outbreak is on the Cunard Line Queen Mary 2, with voyage dates of December 22, 2012 to January 3, 2013. The second is the Princess Cruises Emerald Princess, with voyage dates of December 17 to December 27, 2012. The cause of the outbreaks has not been determined, but it may be norovirus, which often strikes enclosed areas such as cruise ships and nursing homes. On the Cunard Line cruise, 201 out of 2,613 passengers, and 14 out of 1,255 crew have reported illness of vomiting and diarrhea. The causative agent is unknown at this time. The crew is disinfecting the ship, and an extra medical staff and a public health officer have been sent to the … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak at Stateville Illinois Correctional Center
A suspected norovirus outbreak has been declared at the Stateville Correctional Facility in Illinois. Illinois Department of Corrections spokesperson Melaney Arnold told Food Poisoning Bulletin that approximately 144 inmates reported becoming ill after Christmas. No patients have been hospitalized. Food testing is underway to try to determine the source of the outbreak. The Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Public Health are working on the outbreak investigation and control efforts. Samples have been sent to the state laboratory, and public health officials are waiting for results. Norovirus is extremely contagious and can be spread person-to-person, through projectile vomiting, touching contaminated surfaces, or through eating contaminated food and drink. It … [Read more...]
Widespread Norovirus Circulating in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reporting widespread norovirus throughout Colorado. The outbreak is especially bad in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, and day care centers. The virus causes symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Alicia Cronquist, who is an epidemiologist for the department, said in a statement, "we believe the illness is being caused by a virus germ called norovirus. This infection is very common this time of year. Symptoms usually last about 1-3 days and can cause dehydration, which can be dangerous for children and elderly people." The virus is easily spread to others via direct contact, touching contaminated surfaces, or eating contaminated food. To help reduce the spread of the virus, any … [Read more...]
