Norovirus Outbreak in Iowa

[Rowan MacD]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)_ The Iowa Department of Public Health has received reports of eight medium to large outbreaks of probable norovirus in at least five counties.  Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. The illness usually begins 24 to 48 hours after exposure and lasts one to two days.
The IDPH says three groups of people became ill after eating at a restaurant where several food handlers had also been sick.

http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-norovirus-outbreak-20111225,0,7671274.story


  Yuck! The last time I had this was in 2006.  Also lovingly referred to as 'Stomach Flu' and Cruise ship virus' either way, it's 48 hours of total misery. The good news is, this is primarily transferred by ingesting raw foods recently handled by infected persons who did not wash their hands well after using the bathroom, and not by air born vectors like the flu or a cold.
  You can lessen your chances of getting it by avoiding door handles or surfaces where everybody touches frequently using bare hands; railings, escalators, etc.  Especially near restrooms.  If you have little ones-I'd keep them off the indoor playgrounds (like the ones in the malls and Micky D's) until the outbreak is over in a week or so. It spreads like wildfire among kids, and some parents will take a kid that just recovered (and is still infectious for the next 2 days) out to eat or to play.  
  Eating at buffets and restaurants should be avoided for a while, at least the salad bar and dessert portions.  I got my last case from a Chinese buffet. Of the 6 people I went with, only those of us who ate at the salad bar got sick. Cooking apparently kills the pathogen unless the food is re-infected afterwards and then kept at a low enough temp that the virus can stay alive.  
  If you live in an area experiencing an outbreak-pretend that you are a surgeon or nurse for a few days: Use hand sanitizer all the time,  open bathroom doors using a paper towel PARTICULARLY when exiting if you can't just push it open with your elbow or shoulder.  AFTER washing your hands, shut off the water using the same paper towel you dried with. If you HAVE to use an indoor ATM right after someone else-have a handi-wipe ready to clean your fingers after you are done.
  With all my usual precautions I still get this about once every 10 years and I blame the fact that I get lax.