Just three weeks after the North Carolina Division of Public Health issued a norovirus advisory for the state, over in Durham, Duke University is now reporting several cases among employees and students.
In a Duke news release Monday, Dr. George Jackson, co-director of Employee Occupational Health and Wellness said in light of the reported infections, "All students, faculty and staff are advised to practice effective hand hygiene to limit the spread of the virus. The best way to prevent infection is by washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may not be effective against noroviruses."
Noroviruses are easily transmitted by touching a contaminated surface as well as by direct contact or by eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with the virus.
The symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people, the illness is self-limiting with symptoms lasting for about 1 or 2 days.
NC State Epidemiologist Dr. Megan Davies said there is no specific medications to treat norovirus, but infected people should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhea to prevent dehydration.
Dr. Davies recommends following the steps below if you suspect norovirus:
· Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after toilet visits and before preparing, serving or eating food or drink. Hand sanitizers are not as effective against norovirus.
· Clean and disinfect surfaces contaminated with vomit or diarrhea immediately using a bleach-based household cleaner, or dilute household bleach 1:10 in water (must be mixed fresh daily; never use undiluted bleach).
· Stay home when sick.
· Do not prepare food for other people when sick and for at least three days afterward.
University officials said any suspected cases of a norovirus infection should be reported to either Student Health ( 919-681-9355) or the Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW) hotline ( 919-684-8115) for monitoring of a potential outbreak on campus. All healthcare workers and dining employees with symptoms of a norovirus infection must contact the EOHW hotline to be clear to return to work. Any students who become dehydrated as a result of a norovirus infection should visit the Student Health Center and employees experiencing dehydration should visit their primary care physician or an urgent care facility.
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