Maine Public Health
08-08-2012, 07:59
The health department in Maine has received reports of AT hikers with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (gastroenteritis) in the western Maine area, near the NH border. Illness reportedly lasts 24 hours. Although no laboratory specimens have been submitted by hikers this illness description is compatible with norovirus infection, which is known to be transmitted easily, especially in circumstances where hygienic practices are less than ideal. Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people and on surfaces that have been contaminated directly or touched by ill people. Outbreaks occur more often in settings where people share facilities (for sleeping, dining, showering and toileting), such as in trail camp settings.
How Noroviruses are spread
People can become infected with the virus by:
Eating food or drinking liquids infected with noroviruses
Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with noroviruses and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes
Having close contact with infected persons, such as:-
Being present while someone is vomiting (throwing up)
Sharing food or utensils
Drinking water or liquids from the same cup/bottle
Caring for a sick person
Shaking hands
Norovirus infections are not usually serious
Noroviruses are highly contagious, but infections are not usually serious. People may feel very sick and vomit often or get diarrhea and become dehydrated. Most people recover within 1 or 2 days and have no long-term adverse health effects.
What to do if you become sick with norovirus
Drink plenty of fluids if your vomiting is controlled
Wash hands often with soap and water
Limit contact with other individuals to avoid spreading the infection
Handle contaminated waste and laundry carefully
Wash and dry clothes at a high temperature setting if possible
How to prevent getting and spreading noroviruses
Wash hands often, especially after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. Wash hands more often when someone in your hostel/shelter is sick.
Avoid shaking hands during outbreaks
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to supplement handwashing with soap and water or if facilities for handwashing are unavailable
For more information: www.mainepublichealth.gov (http://www.mainepublichealth.gov) or www.cdc.gov/norovirus (http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus)
How Noroviruses are spread
People can become infected with the virus by:
Eating food or drinking liquids infected with noroviruses
Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with noroviruses and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes
Having close contact with infected persons, such as:-
Being present while someone is vomiting (throwing up)
Sharing food or utensils
Drinking water or liquids from the same cup/bottle
Caring for a sick person
Shaking hands
Norovirus infections are not usually serious
Noroviruses are highly contagious, but infections are not usually serious. People may feel very sick and vomit often or get diarrhea and become dehydrated. Most people recover within 1 or 2 days and have no long-term adverse health effects.
What to do if you become sick with norovirus
Drink plenty of fluids if your vomiting is controlled
Wash hands often with soap and water
Limit contact with other individuals to avoid spreading the infection
Handle contaminated waste and laundry carefully
Wash and dry clothes at a high temperature setting if possible
How to prevent getting and spreading noroviruses
Wash hands often, especially after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. Wash hands more often when someone in your hostel/shelter is sick.
Avoid shaking hands during outbreaks
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to supplement handwashing with soap and water or if facilities for handwashing are unavailable
For more information: www.mainepublichealth.gov (http://www.mainepublichealth.gov) or www.cdc.gov/norovirus (http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus)