State News: Norovirus
Summer Brings Tourists and Health Messages released on May 25, 2006 by AK DHSS
Potential for Norovirus encourages agency coordination and lots of hand washing
(Juneau) — With many cruise ships expected in Alaska communities throughout the summer, as well as thousands of other tourists arriving in Alaska by plane and automobile, the potential is high that we will see cases of Norovirus and other infectious diseases this summer. Norovirus may be found at low levels throughout the year in some communities, however, the massive movement of people during the summer season makes it more likely to see a sudden outbreak.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Public Health, is coordinating with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other local, state and federal agencies to help ensure that our communities are safe and healthy. State public health nurses are available in most communities to advise local business owners and tourism industry workers on the proper precautions to take to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like Norovirus. The state also coordinates with the U.S. Coast Guard, the State Emergency Coordination Center and Alaska State Troopers, in addition to local health care facilities and emergency workers when additional assistance is needed caring for or transporting sick individuals to health care facilities.
“Good hand washing is the most important step for every individual to protect against Norovirus and other infectious diseases,” said DHSS Public Health Director Richard Mandsager, M.D. “I encourage every individual to wash hands regularly and frequently. We want tourists to enjoy their visit to Alaska.”
To download the Norovirus Prevention Packet, please go to the Division of Public Health Epidemiology Web site at http://www.epi.hss.state.ak.us/id/dod/norovirus.stm. The packet contains a fact sheet, poster and information about sanitizing for public or business owners. Noroviruses cause the “stomach flu,” or gastroenteritis. Norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness worldwide. The most common symptoms are nausea with vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. These symptoms occur in all age groups although diarrhea is more common among adults and vomiting is more common in children. Many persons also experience headache, fever, chills and muscle aches. The symptoms may appear from 12-72 hours after exposure to the virus, but usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Noroviruses are most often spread from person to person. Some medical reports suggest that the virus can spread through the air during vomiting. Noroviruses are also spread easily by eating food or drinking water contaminated with feces from an infected person. Less common outbreaks have been linked to cold, ready-to eat prepared foods such as salads, coleslaw, sandwiches and shellfish harvested in contaminated water. Some outbreaks have also been associated with drinking water and recreational water (e.g., swimming ponds, and beaches).
There is no treatment for Norovirus. Most people recover in two to three days after they become ill. Supportive treatment to prevent dehydration may be needed in severe cases. Thorough hand washing following toilet use and prior to handling food is the best way to prevent the spread of these viruses. Persons currently ill with diarrhea or vomiting should not handle food, work in day care centers or care for patients in a health care facility until these symptoms have stopped.
“Alaskans like to travel, too, and when they become tourists in other places, they should protect themselves and their hosts by using good hand washing precautions,” said Mandsager.
Additional information on Norovirus can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://www.cdc.gov
Norovirus Frequently Asked Questions
released on May 25, 2006 by AK DHSS
What are Noroviruses?
Noroviruses are representative of a larger group of viruses called caliciviruses.
Infection with Norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness
worldwide.
What are the symptoms of an infection with Norovirus?
The most common symptoms are nausea with vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.
These symptoms occur in all age groups although diarrhea is more common
among adults and vomiting is more common in children. Many persons also
experience headache, fever, chills and muscle aches.
How soon do symptoms appear?
The symptoms may appear from 12-72 hours after exposure to the virus,
but usually within 24 to 48 hrs.
How is Norovirus spread?
Noroviruses are spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with
feces or vomit from an infected person. Outbreaks have been linked to
foods such as salads, coleslaw and sandwiches that were prepared by someone
ill with Norovirus. Outbreaks have also been associated with drinking
water and recreational water (e.g., swimming ponds, and beaches), where
persons may have ingested water contaminated with feces from an infected
person. Norovirus is easily spread from person to person. Some medical
reports suggest that the virus can spread through the air during vomiting.
How long is a person infectious?
People can infect others while symptoms are present and at least three
days after diarrhea or vomiting have stopped.
What is the treatment for this illness?
There is no treatment for this illness. Most people recover in one to
two days after they become ill. Supportive treatment to prevent dehydration
may be needed in severe cases.
What can be done to help prevent the spread of these viruses?
Thorough hand washing following toilet use and prior to handling food
is the best way to prevent the spread of these viruses. Persons currently
ill with diarrhea or vomiting should not handle food, work in day care
centers or care for patients in a health care facility until these symptoms
have stopped.
Summer Brings Tourists and Health Messages
public service announcement released on May 25, 2006 by AK DHSS
Tourism is great for Alaska, but increased numbers of people means an
increased potential for infectious diseases like Norovirus. Whether you
are a local or a traveling tourist, you can help prevent the spread of
this highly contagious disease by washing your hands with soap and water
after toilet visits and before preparing or eating food. Use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Common symptoms of Norovirus include nausea with vomiting, diarrhea and cramps that last from one to two days.
If you have these symptoms or have questions about the disease, please contact your local health care provider or public health clinic.
State Meetings
Spring Workshop—May 22 & 23, 2008
Anchorage, Alaska
Contact: Maria Vandenbos, CDM,CFPP
907-562-2281
Look for you flyer very soon in the mail.
State Awards
CDM of the Year
Maria Vandenbos, CDM,CFPP
Administrator of the Year
Pat Alexander (pictured at right)
National Meetings
2007: San Diego, CA • July 1-5
2008: Philadelphia, PA • July 27-31
2009: Atlanta, GA • August 9-13