Norovirus infections are not usually serious, but highly contagious. Most people recover within 1 to 2 days and have no long-term adverse health effects.

Norovirus more commonly causes vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Symptoms also may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and tiredness. Outbreaks occur more often where there are more people in a small area, such as nursing homes, restaurants, catered events, and cruise ships.

How to prevent getting and spreading Noroviruses:

• Wash hands often. Wash hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Wash hands more often when someone in your home is sick.

• Avoid shaking hands during outbreaks.

• Do not prepare food for others while you are ill, or for three days after you recover from illness.

• If you work in food service and have diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting, you should report to your manager and stay home from work.

• If someone in the home has been ill, thoroughly clean the home. Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated, by washing in hot water and soap. Thoroughly clean with soap and water then immediately disinfect surfaces that have been exposed to the germs, by using a bleach-based disinfectant solution.

What is a bleach-based disinfectant solution?

• You can make a solution by adding 1/3 cup of household bleach to 1 gallon of water. Apply the bleach solution to surfaces and leave it to air dry.

• The solution should be freshly made to work best. Don’t use diluted bleach solutions that are over 24 hours old.