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Tag: Norovirus

What is Norovirus?

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee
Wash your hands
Wash your hands often for 20 seconds.

Besides the flu, COVID, and RSV illnesses occurring this time of year, there has been an increase in Norovirus across the country. The typical peak season is December to March.

Norovirus is very contagious and causes vomiting and diarrhea. Some may call it the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug.” But it is not related to the flu. It is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness. People of all ages can get infected. Norovirus causes about half of the all outbreaks of food-related illness.

One of the simplest prevention measures is proper and frequent handwashing. Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. Wash laundry in hot water if possible. Stay home to prevent the spread to others. Most people will recover in 1 to 3 days. There is no medication to treat Norovirus.

Be sure to drink plenty of liquids to reduce dehydration. If dehydration becomes severe, seek medical care.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html

Fighting Norovirus with Cranberries

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee
Maine cranberries

Cranberries have beneficial properties for our health, including kidney and urinary tract health.  New research has found another use for cranberries, to fight the foodborne illness Norovirus associated with fresh produce.

This preliminary study is a new treatment using cranberry juice and fruit extract to make an edible coating that is sprayed onto produce. When used along with a low dosage of gamma irradiation, or cold pasteurization, the study showed the coating eliminated contamination. Without the coating, the dosage of irradiation needed to kill norovirus is three kilograys. But with the cranberry coating, that dosage can be cut in half. This reduction can help preserve the quality properties of produce.

Norovirus is caused by person-to-person contact, touching contaminated surfaces, and consuming contaminated food or water.

Sources: www.ift.org/iftnext/2020/april/a-new-tool-in-the-fight-against-foodborne-infections and https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html

 

Preventing Norovirus at Camp

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee

Summer is coming! And many youth are gearing up to go on a camping adventure. Getting sick with norovirus at camp will ruin the fun quickly. Norovirus is contagious and will spread quickly when many people are in one location.

How can norovirus happen? An infected person can spread it with:

  • A simple handshake
  • Shared food or utensils
  • Contaminated food or water
  • Unwashed hands that touch contaminated surfaces.

Learn more and download a fact sheet and poster at www.cdc.gov/norovirus/multimedia.html.

 

Food Safety Education Month

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee
Norovirus
Norovirus

The theme for the 2016 National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM) is “Notorious Virus!” and is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association and ServSafe®.

Activities, videos, and other educational tools are available to help educate food service personnel about Norovirus and Hepatitis A. While targeted to food service, these materials can apply to anyone to help teach safe food handling.

Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis. It spreads easily and is often called the stomach flu. It transmits easily as it survives on surfaces that have been contaminated or from an infected person.

Handwashing is the best defense against Norovirus. Clean and disinfect areas contaminated by vomiting or diarrhea. If sick, do not handle food.

For more about NFSEM, see www.foodsafetymonth.com/Home.

NFSEM materials from USDA are not currently available.

http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/

Norovirus

 

 

Reference to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation. Paid for by Kansas State University