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March 18, 2022
Dear Healthcare Providers,
There have been reports of acute gastroenteritis, including norovirus-like symptoms, throughout the community. The most common symptoms being reported are vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches. We have identified norovirus as the etiology of infection for some of these investigations.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick from norovirus.
People can get norovirus from:
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Having direct contact with an infected person
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Consuming contaminated food or water
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Touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth
A person usually develops symptoms within 12 to 48 hours after being exposed. While most get better within 1 to 3 days, symptoms can last up to 10 days. Those with norovirus illness can feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Dehydrated children may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.
If patients report symptoms of acute gastroenteritis and endorse attending an event or school/workplace where non-household also fell ill:
- We suggest testing stool for enteric pathogens, including norovirus and other bacteria. If the patient is also experiencing respiratory symptoms or loss of taste or smell occur, consider concurrent COVID-19 testing.
- Any positive specimens in a setting of potential cluster/outbreak among non-household members should be reported to the Lake County Health Department Communicable Disease team by calling (847) 377-8130 or fax information to (847) 984-5680.
- Patients should be instructed to stay home for 24 hours after symptoms have stopped (without the use of fever-reducing or antidiarrheal medications).
- Those who work in sensitive occupations, such as healthcare and food service, should be instructed to stay home for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped (without the use of fever-reducing or antidiarrheal medications), AND to report symptoms to their employer.
Treatment is typically supportive care of symptoms. To prevent dehydration, those with norovirus illness should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization for treatment.
How to prevent acute gastroenteritis, including norovirus infection:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand rub does NOT work well against norovirus.
- Wash your hands, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers;
- Always before eating, preparing, or handling food; and
- Before giving yourself or someone else medicine.
Handle and prepare food safely.
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them.
- Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.
When you are sick, do not prepare food or care for others.
- Do not prepare food for others or provide healthcare while you are sick and for at least two days after symptoms stop.
- This also applies to sick workers in restaurants, schools, daycares, long-term care facilities, and other places where they may expose people to norovirus.
Clean and disinfect surfaces of the bathroom and any communal areas
- After someone vomits or has diarrhea, always thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire area while wearing a mask and gloves. An EPA-approved disinfectant would best (i.e., bleach water solution).
- To help make sure that food is safe from norovirus, routinely clean and sanitize kitchen utensils, counters, and surfaces before preparing food.
- Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or feces.
Preventing Norovirus | CDC
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