The California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith stated that California is experiencing an increase in norovirus cases, commonly referred to as stomach flu or winter vomiting disease. CDPH has confirmed 32 outbreaks of norovirus in California since October 1.
These outbreaks far exceed the number reported at this time in 2014. “One of the most important things you can do to avoid norovirus and other illnesses this holiday season is to wash your hands frequently with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds,” Dr. Smith said. “This is especially important after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food. Hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.”
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, an illness that usually involves vomiting and diarrhea. It is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States, and is responsible for approximately 20 million illnesses each year, with 570-800 deaths reported annually.
People with norovirus are very contagious and can easily spread the illness from person to person and ill persons can still be contagious up to two weeks or more after recovery. Infection spreads in these ways:
– by having direct contact with another person who is infected
– eating contaminated food
– drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus
– touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching your mouth
It is particularly important for ill persons to practice good hand washing and to avoid preparing food for others while they are sick and for at least 48 hours after symptoms are no longer present.
Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after the person has been exposed to the virus and last for one to three days. The most common symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, headache and body aches.
Norovirus symptoms can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses. Safe food handling practices can prevent the spread of norovirus and other infectious diseases. In addition to washing your hands after every bathroom visit, this includes washing fruits and vegetables before eating, cleaning and disinfecting food preparation equipment and surfaces, and thoroughly cooking all meats, fish and poultry.
