How to Avoid Food Poisoning: Norovirus on the Rise

Norovirus, more commonly known as food poisoning or stomach flu, is a highly contagious stomach virus. Although not related to influenza, the illness shares some of the same symptoms. Norovirus infection causes gastroenteritis which leads to diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Some people, especially young children and the elderly, may get severely dehydrated. The illness can be serious, even resulting in death.

Norovirus spreads easily and quickly, especially in enclosed places such as daycare centers, nursing homes, schools, and on cruise ships. You are contagious from the moment you begin feeling sick and for the first few days after you recover. There’s no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection and no drug to treat it. As it’s a virus, antibiotics are ineffective. 

Clean exposed items and surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution or other disinfectant registered as effective by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Be sure to wash laundry thoroughly and wear disposable gloves while handling soiled items. Wash your hands after any exposure.

There are ways you can prevent norovirus from spreading, most importantly, practice proper hand hygiene. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water after using the toilet or changing diapers and always before eating, preparing, or handling food. Wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly. Food that might be contaminated with norovirus should be thrown out. When you are sick, do not prepare food for others.

Following tips like the ones above will help to control the spread of norovirus.