Norovirus Health Alert        

  Transmission:

• From person to person either by consumption of fecally contaminated food or water.
• Direct person to person spread.
• Environmental or fomite contamination.
  • A fomite is any object that maybe contaminated with infectious organisms and serve in their transmission for example, a pencil, door handle, toy etc
  • Noroviruses are highly contagious microorganisms and capable of surviving on surfaces for up to 12 days.
• Sometimes through aerosolization from vomit.

Symptoms:  

• Usually occur between 12-48 hours after exposure to the virus and may persist 24-60 hours.
• Vomiting (more common in children) diarrhea, low grade fever, stomach cramps and sometimes a headache.
• Children and adults with suspected or confirmed novovirus must remain home from school, work or public gatherings for at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
• Food handlers must remain off of work for at least 3 days after being symptom free.

CCDPH recommendations:

• Keep your child home from school until they are symptom free for at least 24 hours.
• Contact your doctor.
• Good and frequent hand washing to reduce the risk of transmission.
• Soap and water should be used for cleansing of hands after using the restroom and when hands are visibly soiled.
• When hands are not visibly soiled, waterless, alcohol-based hand sanitizers maybe used.

A summary from the Cook County Department of Public Health
11-04-2010