The QE2 has just been hit with this. Wash your hands, folks!
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/busines...,0,2787224.story?coll=sfla-business-headlines
The storied Queen Elizabeth 2 has become the first cruise ship in 2007 to suffer a serious outbreak of norovirus illness, with about 16 percent of passengers sickened since the ship left Southampton, England, on Jan. 2.
Health Department Offers Tips to Avoid Norovirus Infection
HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- With outbreaks of viral
gastroenteritis, or "stomach flu," continuing to be reported across the
commonwealth and nation, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is reminding
the general public about ways they can help to avoid norovirus infection --
a common cause of the illness.
"Norovirus infection is very common this time of year and it's very
contagious," said state Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson. "If you
have symptoms of norovirus, such as vomiting and diarrhea, you should try
to stay home and practice good hygiene, like washing your hands frequently
and thoroughly to avoid spreading the illness to others."
Norovirus symptoms often begin suddenly and can include nausea, stomach
cramping, vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus illness can be a difficult
experience for those affected, but it is normally short-lived and people
recover within 12 to 60 hours.
The spread of norovirus can be prevented by following some simple
guidelines:
-- Frequently wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom and
changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.
-- Anyone ill with diarrhea should not prepare food for other people. In
particular, people with diarrhea should not work in restaurants, day
care centers, or medical settings unless they are cleared to do so by
their doctor or the local health department.
-- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating
them.
-- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after
an episode of diarrhea or vomiting by using a bleach-based household
cleaner.
-- Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated
with virus after an episode of diarrhea or vomiting (use hot water and
soap).
-- Flush or discard any vomit and/or stool in the toilet and make sure
that the surrounding area is kept clean.
Because norovirus is very contagious, sudden outbreaks can result when
people bring the infection into facilities such as hospitals, residential
and nursing homes and schools. No one who has suffered from vomiting and
diarrhea should visit or work in crowded places until they have been
completely free from symptoms for at least 48 hours.
For most healthy individuals, drinking plenty of fluids and resting at
home is sufficient to recover from a norovirus infection and there is no
need for hospital treatment. However, the elderly or very young can
sometimes get more severe infection and they, or anyone else who is
concerned about their medical condition, should talk to their doctor for
advice.
For more information about norovirus, visit the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Web site at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm.
CONTACT: Richard McGarvey
(717) 787-1783
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/busines...,0,2787224.story?coll=sfla-business-headlines
The storied Queen Elizabeth 2 has become the first cruise ship in 2007 to suffer a serious outbreak of norovirus illness, with about 16 percent of passengers sickened since the ship left Southampton, England, on Jan. 2.
Health Department Offers Tips to Avoid Norovirus Infection
HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- With outbreaks of viral
gastroenteritis, or "stomach flu," continuing to be reported across the
commonwealth and nation, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is reminding
the general public about ways they can help to avoid norovirus infection --
a common cause of the illness.
"Norovirus infection is very common this time of year and it's very
contagious," said state Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson. "If you
have symptoms of norovirus, such as vomiting and diarrhea, you should try
to stay home and practice good hygiene, like washing your hands frequently
and thoroughly to avoid spreading the illness to others."
Norovirus symptoms often begin suddenly and can include nausea, stomach
cramping, vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus illness can be a difficult
experience for those affected, but it is normally short-lived and people
recover within 12 to 60 hours.
The spread of norovirus can be prevented by following some simple
guidelines:
-- Frequently wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom and
changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.
-- Anyone ill with diarrhea should not prepare food for other people. In
particular, people with diarrhea should not work in restaurants, day
care centers, or medical settings unless they are cleared to do so by
their doctor or the local health department.
-- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating
them.
-- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after
an episode of diarrhea or vomiting by using a bleach-based household
cleaner.
-- Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated
with virus after an episode of diarrhea or vomiting (use hot water and
soap).
-- Flush or discard any vomit and/or stool in the toilet and make sure
that the surrounding area is kept clean.
Because norovirus is very contagious, sudden outbreaks can result when
people bring the infection into facilities such as hospitals, residential
and nursing homes and schools. No one who has suffered from vomiting and
diarrhea should visit or work in crowded places until they have been
completely free from symptoms for at least 48 hours.
For most healthy individuals, drinking plenty of fluids and resting at
home is sufficient to recover from a norovirus infection and there is no
need for hospital treatment. However, the elderly or very young can
sometimes get more severe infection and they, or anyone else who is
concerned about their medical condition, should talk to their doctor for
advice.
For more information about norovirus, visit the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Web site at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm.
CONTACT: Richard McGarvey
(717) 787-1783
