St. Joseph County Health Officer Dr.
Thomas A. Felger has announced that laboratory tests have confirmed Norovirus as
the cause of the gastrointestinal outbreak that affected 106 students attending
sport camp at the University of Notre Dame earlier this week. 29 of those students were treated and
released from local emergency departments for the intestinal illness.
Norovirus is a very
contagious virus, and is the most common "stomach bug" in the United
States. Norovirus can be spread by an
infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated
surfaces.
Symptoms of Norovirus usually occur 12-48 hours after exposure, and include
diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Most people recover in 1-3 days, but remain contagious (able to spread
Norovirus) for up to 2 weeks after recovery.
Hand washing is the most effective way to
prevent the spread of Norovirus. Wash
hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, and be sure to wash
hands after using the bathroom, after changing a diaper, after taking care of
someone else who is sick, and before eating or preparing/handling food. After throwing up or having diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect
contaminated surface using a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of
1000–5000 ppm (5–25 tablespoons of household bleach per gallon of water) or other
disinfectant registered as effective against Norovirus by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). Those who are
ill should stay home, preferably at least 3 days after symptoms resolve.
The St. Joseph
County Health Department will continue to work with the University of Notre
Dame and the Indiana State Department of Health to gather and disseminate
information. Additional information
about Norovirus can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
website.
Health authorities are also investigating a suspected norovirus outbreak among girls attending a cheerleading camp at Davenport University in Grand Rapids.
