Friday, March 16, 2012The Clatsop County Public Health Department has been investigating several outbreaks of acute vomiting and diarrhea in local elder care facilities believed to be linked to a contagious infection.
Two of the cases have been identified as caused by the norovirus. This is an extremely contagious gastrointestinal infection spread most often by hands that have been contaminated with feces or vomit or aerosolized vomit of infected people.
To prevent the spread of norovirus and other gastrointestinal infections, the Public Health Department urges people to practice frequent hand-washing or sanitizing, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, before preparing meals or feeding an infant, and before and after providing care to another.
People with acute vomiting and diarrhea should not return to school, daycare, residential care or food service until they have been symptom-free for 72 hours. Those people should also inform their employers of their illness, and continue to practice scrupulous hand-washing.
For more information contact the Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500.
Released by:Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622
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To prevent the spread of norovirus and other gastrointestinal infections, the Public Health Department urges people to practice frequent hand-washing or sanitizing, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, before preparing meals or feeding an infant, and before and after providing care to another.- like it
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