Tis the season to scrub your arms and watch what you eat.
Norovirus, a vomit- and diarrhea-inducing abdomen bug, is sickening Floridians by tainted surfaces and contaminated shellfish.
The Sunshine State is one among 12 within the U.S. with a excessive variety of confirmed outbreaks of the virus. Anybody affected by a bout of the nasty, extraordinarily contagious virus, beware: it has no particular remedy and usually has to run its course.
Additionally of word: On common, one contaminated individual will infect two to seven different individuals.
“It only takes a few virus particles to cause infections, so it doesn’t take much exposure to get sick from norovirus,” stated Margaret Gorensek, an infectious illness physician at Holy Cross Well being in Fort Lauderdale.
Norovirus can unfold by meals, contact, and air particles.
Earlier this week, the Meals and Drug Administration issued two separate seafood remembers in states over potential norovirus contamination.
On Monday, the FDA warned eating places, meals retailers, and shoppers in seven states, together with Florida, to not eat or promote oysters and Manila clams from Rudy’s Shellfish in Washington. Two days later, the company issued one other recall in 15 states, together with Florida, for oysters offered as Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi Oysters from British Columbia, Canada. Each remembers cited potential contamination with norovirus. The recall didn’t point out any reported diseases linked to the oysters and clams.
Shellfish can soak up untreated human sewage containing norovirus; when people eat the contaminated shellfish, they’ll turn into contaminated.
Most individuals expertise signs 12 to 48 hours after consuming contaminated meals. The widespread signs are nausea, abdomen ache, fever, complications, and physique aches.
When norovirus spreads by direct contact, it tends to be from shaking arms or touching contaminated surfaces after which placing your hand in your mouth. That sort of unfold usually occurs in eating places, colleges, and on cruise ships.
This month, the norovirus has been wreaking havoc on cruise ships. Up to now, in December, 4 ships have reported outbreaks, with one ship reporting greater than 100 passengers falling ailing, in response to the Facilities for Illness Management & Prevention.
There have been 13 reported norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships this yr, however that is the primary time the virus has been confirmed on three ships inside a single month, and suspected on a fourth. These ships embrace Holland America’s Zuiderdam and Rotterdam and Princess Cruise’s Ruby Princess. The newest outbreak was on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, and whereas passengers skilled norovirus-like signs the precise gastrointestinal sickness has not been confirmed.
In all instances, the cruise traces remoted ailing passengers and crew and elevated cleansing and disinfection procedures.
Gorensek at Holy Cross stated norovirus is seasonal and infrequently spreads extra within the winter. “We usually see it more whenever people are spending time together.”
She stated that anybody dealing with meals for vacation meals with out completely washing their arms can shortly unfold it.
Not like different viruses, norovirus is tough to kill on surfaces or arms.
“A quick dose of hand sanitizer doesn’t work, only soap and water,” she stated. “On surfaces, bleach-based products are best.”
Noroviruses are also comparatively immune to warmth and might survive temperatures as excessive as 145 levels Fahrenheit.
Inhaling airborne norovirus particles can occur — doubtlessly in an airplane’s toilet — however that methodology of unfold is much less widespread than contact with contaminated surfaces or meals.
Anybody who will get norovirus must be cautious with staying hydrated. Gorensek recommends Pedialyte, Gatorade or broth. “Water isn’t good because it doesn’t give you the necessary electrolytes,” she stated.
Younger youngsters and anybody with an underlying situation must be significantly cautious, she stated, as a result of “they are susceptible to dehydration and are most at risk.”
South Florida Solar Sentinel well being reporter Cindy Goodman may be reached at cgoodman@sunsentiel.com.
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