| Stanislaus
County - The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency is encouraging
everyone to take additional steps to prevent the spread of
a stomach virus that has affected other areas in the state.
We are aware of outbreaks of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
that have recently been reported in the Bay Area. Earlier
this week they were also reported in the Central Valley.
Because of these reports and the increase in travel around
the holiday season, public health officials are eager to
minimize the impact of this contagious infection by encouraging
everyone to take precautions in preventing contracting and
spreading the virus. .
There is not a local outbreak. In fact, it is relatively
widespread in this region and in California. Personal and
environmental hygiene are very important to minimize the
transmission of this virus.
“As you visit with family and friends, it is especially
important to practice frequent and thorough hand washing,
or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers,” said Trudi
Prevette a Communicable Disease Nurse with the Stanislaus
County Health Services Agency. “The transmission of
this virus can be well-contained just by taking a few extra
precautions in personal and environmental hygiene.”
Known as norovirus, the agent is transmissible not only
through person-to-person contact, but also through surfaces
and food infected by someone with the virus.
Symptoms of the virus include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The illness is self-limiting and usually lasts 24-48 hours.
Antibiotics are not necessary for treatment. The greatest
risk is dehydration, especially for young children, the
medically fragile, and the elderly.
You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with
noroviruses by following these preventive steps:
- Frequently wash your hands, especially after toilet
visits and changing diapers and before eating or preparing
food.
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters
before eating them.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces
immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based
household cleaner.
- Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that
may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness
(use hot water and soap).
Below are pdf documents prepared by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention regarding norovirus.
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