Colorado State University Extension
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NOROVIRUS: BIG BUG ON CAMPUS
A little hand-washing can go a long way
By: Kristen Frey, CSU Food Science Student
The majority of college students are concerned with finishing papers, studying for exams and having enough time left to hang-out with friends. Following mom's advice about washing hands before meals? Not too high on the priority list. But if anything can be learned from the recent outbreaks of norovirus on university campuses, it would be that following mom's hand-washing advice isn't just for washing away ink stains.
The University of Connecticut, Catholic University of America, University of California - Santa Cruz, and Bates College all have reported outbreaks of norovirus among their students in the last few months. In addition, the University of Arizona, Georgetown University, and University of Southern California experienced outbreaks of the stomach bug last fall, and 63 University of Denver students were sickened in April 2008. Norovirus's stability in the environment, low infective dose, and willingness to travel contributes to its frequent appearance on college campuses.
Noroviruses are a family of viruses (also called caliciviruses and Norwalk-like viruses) that cause gastroenteritis, a type of "stomach flu," in humans. Note, this is a different illness than the respiratory "flu" illness caused by the influenza virus. Because the illness is caused by a virus, antibiotics and other treatments have no effect on the course of norovirus infections. Norovirus was first identified in 1968, but interest has increased as we have become more aware of the frequency of occurrence.
Symptoms of norovirus infection most often include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Some individuals may also experience a low-grade fever, chills, head and body aches, and general malaise. The onset of symptoms is usually sudden and the duration is brief, lasting only one to two days. Symptoms typically start 24 to 48 hours after ingesting the virus. Children usually experience more vomiting than adults. People are contagious not only when they show symptoms but also for an additional two weeks after recovery.
Norovirus is highly contagious and spread by the fecal-oral route, either by ingesting contaminated food or through direct contact with an infected individual. Environmental and inanimate objects, such as banisters or salt and pepper shakers, may serve as a source for transmission of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that noroviruses account for half of all food-borne gastroenteritis illnesses in the U.S. each year, approximately 23 million cases.
With all this said, what steps can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting this disease? Hand wash, hand wash, hand wash!!! Proper hand washing after using the bathroom and before eating food is important to prevent the spread and contraction of diseases. Proper hand washing means using warm water and lathering hands with soap for 20 seconds (two rounds of "Happy Birthday") before rinsing. Practicing proper personal hygiene is important not only for food handlers but for any individual who lives in close quarters with others or comes into contact with many people throughout the day, i.e. university students. Hand contact surfaces, such as faucets and door knobs, can be disinfected with commercial wipes or a bleach solution of one teaspoon chlorine bleach to one quart of water.
Armed with knowledge and a bottle of soap, students may be able to avoid norovirus infection and prevent a single case of gastroenteritis from turning into an outbreak.
Sources:
- CDC Technical Fact Sheet About Noroviruses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/downloads/ noro-factsheet.pdf. Accessed February 18, 2009.
- CDC Answers Your Questions About Noroviruses: Q&A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/downloads/ norovirus-faqs.pdf. Accessed February 18, 2009.
- CDC Answers Your Questions About Noroviruses and Food Handlers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/downloads/ noro-foodhandlers.pdf. Accessed February 18, 2009.
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