Will County Health Department Encourages Residents to Protect Themselves from Norovirus

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have both reported increased numbers of norovirus throughout the state and the country.

With some outbreaks being reported in Will County, the Will County Health Department is reminding residents about precautions they can take to prevent the spread of norovirus.

Norovirus outbreaks occur year-round but are most commonly reported between November and April. An outbreak of norovirus is an occurrence of two or more similar illnesses from a common exposure that is suspected or laboratory confirmed to be caused by norovirus. According to the CDC, Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea and foodborne illness in the United States.

“Norovirus outbreaks are increasing due to a rise in social gatherings and travel, particularly during the winter months,” said Alpesh Patel, Chief Epidemiologist for the Will County Health Department. “This leads to more opportunities for the highly contagious virus to spread among people who are in close proximity, especially in enclosed spaces like cruise ships, schools, and nursing homes.”

Symptoms of norovirus

Symptoms of norovirus usually occur between 24 hours and 48 hours after exposure. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. Additional symptoms may include body aches, headache, tiredness and low-grade fever. Symptoms typically last 24 hours to 60 hours and subside on their own.

Transmission of norovirus

Norovirus is very contagious and spreads easily and quickly in different ways. You can get norovirus by:

• Having direct contact with someone with norovirus, like caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.
• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
• Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth.

Preventing norovirus

While norovirus is contagious, the following steps can be used to protect yourself and others by:

• Frequently washing your hands, especially after using the toilet, changing diapers and before eating or preparing food. Hand sanitizer alone is insufficient to kill norovirus and is not a substitute for handwashing.
• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables and cook shellfish thoroughly before eating.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner. If using liquid household bleach prepared daily, one part bleach to nine parts water (1:10 dilution) is recommended.
• Wash clothing and linens that may be contaminated in hot water and soap.
• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
• Stay home when sick for two days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.
• Persons who are infected with norovirus should refrain from food preparation while they have symptoms and for three days after they recover from their illness.

Additional information about norovirus can be found at the CDC and IDPH websites.

CDC How to Prevent norovirus
CDC Norovirus Information
IDPH Norovirus information