Have you or your family recently been ill with vomiting and diarrhea? There is a good chance it was caused by a norovirus. Noroviruses are highly contagious viruses that cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Some people also experience headache, low grade fever, and body aches. Symptoms usually last for 24 to 48 hours.
Norovirus is transmitted by eating contaminated food (food that was prepared or handled by another ill person), by touching surfaces or objects (such as doorknobs, faucets, handles, etc.) contaminated with norovirus and then touching the mouth, and by having direct contact with a person who is infected and showing symptoms.
To prevent the spread:
Do you think you became ill after eating at a restaurant? Tell us about it on www.reportfoodpoisoning.com or call Environmental Health at 222-3800.
More information is available:
Page updated 12/19/07