View this as a webpage

View past Updates via RSS Feed

March 2, 2023

• Avoid foodborne illness like norovirus in your establishment
• Child Care Search Support Available

Note from the Editor

The number one way to avoid the spread of foodborne illness, like norovirus, is for ill workers to stay home. In this issue of the PWDU-FSP Update, you'll find reminders and links to MDH's employee illness resources.

We've also included an article from Parent Aware, which offers FREE consultations to families and employers seeking child care options. If you or your employees face challenges in finding reliable child care, Parent Aware may be able to help.

Sarah and the PWDU team

Avoid foodborne illness like norovirus in your establishment

To avoid the spread of foodborne illness among food establishment employees and prevent outbreaks among your customers, take these precautions: Employees must not work if they are ill with vomiting or diarrhea, and they must stay home from work for at least 24 hours after it stops. Follow Handwashing for Employees procedures, and wash hands often! Kev Ntxuav Tes rau Cov Neeg Ua Haujlwm (Hmong) Farxalka shaqaalaha (Somali) Lavado de las Manos para los Empleados (Spanish) Use gloves, tongs, deli tissue, etc., to handle or prepare ready-to-eat foods like salads, sandwiches, and fruit. Do not handle ready-to-eat foods with bare hands.

How norovirus is spread

Norovirus is spread when tiny particles of feces (poop) or vomit from an infected person get in your mouth. Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus. This can happen if you:

• Eat food or drink liquids that became contaminated with norovirus because they were prepared or touched by a person ill with norovirus.
• Touch surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then put your fingers in your mouth.
• Have direct contact with someone who is infected with norovirus, such as by caring for them or sharing food or utensils with them.

Understand your employee illness, exclusions, and reporting responsibilities

The person in charge at your establishment is responsible to take action in the following scenarios.

• If a customer contacts you to complain of illness, this must be reported to your local health inspector or MDH MDH Foodborne Illness Hotline.
  • Kev Ceeb Toom Qhia Txog Mob Nkeeg Los Ntawm Zaub Mov thiab Cov Dej - MN Dept. of Health (Hmong)
  • Soo sheegida xanuunnada Laga Shakiyo ee Cuntada iyo Biyaha Ka dhasha - MN Dept. of Health (Somali)
  • Reportar la sospecha de una enfermedad transmitida por los alimentos o el agua - MN Dept. of Health (Spanish)
• All ill employees must be excluded from a food establishment while they have:
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Employees with diarrhea or vomiting cannot return to work for at least 24 hours after symptoms end.
• Employees must report to the person in charge if they have any of the following symptoms:
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin or whites of eyes)
• Sore throat with fever
• Open, infected wound
• Record all employee reports of diarrhea and vomiting including onset date in an Employee Illness Log.
  • Kev Ntsuas Tus Neeg Ua Haujlwm Li Kev Mob (Hmong)
  • Diiwaanka Xanuunka Shaqaalaha (Somali)
  • Registro de Enfermedades de los Empleados (Spanish)
• Employees must also report to the person in charge if they have been diagnosed with any of the following infections:
• Norovirus
• Salmonella
• Shigella
• Hepatitis A virus
• Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
• Infection with another enteric bacteria, viral or parasitic pathogen
• The person in charge must notify the local health inspector or the MDH Foodborne Illness Hotline if an employee has been diagnosed with any of the above illnesses.
  • Kev Ceeb Toom Qhia Txog Mob Nkeeg Los Ntawm Zaub Mov thiab Cov Dej - MN Dept. of Health (Hmong)
  • Soo sheegida xanuunnada Laga Shakiyo ee Cuntada iyo Biyaha Ka dhasha - MN Dept. of Health (Somali)
  • Reportar la sospecha de una enfermedad transmitida por los alimentos o el agua - MN Dept. of Health (Spanish)

Child Care Search Support Available

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, labor force participation rates for women have continued to be lower than they were prior to the pandemic, in Minnesota as well as nationally. According to research conducted by the Bank, most working parents in our district have reduced hours and taken time off to care for children.

Parents: Get a free personalized child care search consultation

Parent Aware offers free tools and resources to help working parents find quality child care.

Families can call (888) 291-9811 to speak with a Child Care Information Specialist for a free personalized child care search consultation. Specialists can help answer questions, narrow down searches, and guide parents to other helpful resources.

Families can also use the free online search tool on ParentAware.org to choose from more than 12,000 licensed child care and early education programs in Minnesota. They can adjust criteria like location, hours of operation, and ages served to get customized results based on their needs.

Employers: Get a free consultation to help you support your employees

Employers also have access to free consultation that can help them support the child care needs of their employees. For more information, please contact the Child Care Information Outreach Coordinator, Debra Spaeth (debras@childcareawaremn.org) or call 651-290-9704, extension 266.

Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help  |  health.state.mn.us