FOR SATURDAY

Health officials issue lookout for norovirus clusters



Staff report



THOMASVILLE — The winter months bring more than just cooler temperatures, say Southwest Health District personnel. They also bring outbreaks of “stomach flu,” also known as gastroenteritis, caused by noroviruses.

Clusters are beginning to pop up and officials are urging caution and adhering to prevention methods.

“Noroviruses, which are also known as Norwalk-type viruses, are extremely contagious,” District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant said in a news release.

“People with norovirus infections are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least three days after recovery. Some people may remain contagious for as long as two weeks after recovery.”

Although most people experience symptoms for only a day or two, the very young, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions are at risk of dehydration, which can lead to hospitalization, according to the release.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Sometimes, these also include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle ache and a general feeling of tiredness.

“The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick,” Grant said. “Symptoms usually begin 24 to 48 hours after exposure, but can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.”

Children typically experience more vomiting than adults, but persons who are not able to keep enough liquids down to replace what they lose can become dehydrated. Severe dehydration should be treated at a hospital.

Symptoms of severe dehydration include: decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling of dizziness when standing up, children may cry with few or no tears, and children may be unusually sleepy or fussy.

If an outbreak is suspected, Grant said, the local health department should be immediately contacted.

“During outbreaks in institutions, many people may become ill, some seriously enough to require hospitalization,” she said. “Staff may also become infected, leading to staffing shortages that may impact resident care in long-term care facilities or teaching in school settings.”

Grant warned that anyone can become infected with noroviruses because there are different strains and it is difficult to develop immunity. Infections can also reoccur throughout a person’s lifetime due to genetic factors.

Noroviruses cannot be treated by antibiotics or other drugs.

“Antibiotics fight against bacteria, not viruses,” Grant said. “We don’t have a reliable vaccine to prevent norovirus infection. The best protection is to practice prevention measures.”

Noroviruses are found in the stool and vomit of infected people.

Steps to stop noroviruses from spreading include: frequent handwashing, carefully washing fruits and vegetables and steaming oysters before eating them, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces with bleach-based cleaner immediately after an episode of illness, immediately removing and washing clothing and other items, flushing or discarding any vomit or stool in the toilet, avoiding food preparation, and properly disposing of food that may have been contaminated by an infected person.

For more information, visit www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org or www.cdc.gov.