Norovirus Lawyer & Attorney : Marler Clark : Norovirus Blog

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is inviting public comments on the draft Guideline for the Prevention and Control of Norovirus: Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings.” The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) says it will be submitting its official response to the document, and APIC members are encouraged to respond individually. Comments are due to CDC by July 16, 2010.

To evaluate the evidence on preventing and controlling norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks in healthcare settings, the guidelines’ authors examined published data addressing three key questions: What host, viral, or environmental characteristics increase or decrease the risk of norovirus infection in healthcare settings? What are the best methods to identify an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis in a healthcare setting? What interventions best prevent or contain outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis in the healthcare setting?

Recommendations in the draft guideline touch upon cohorting of patients with isolation precautions observed; hand hygiene; patient transfer and ward closure; diagnostics, personal protective equipment; environmental cleaning; staff policies and more.

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Norovirus is on the upswing in the United States, a new report by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) suggests.

No national surveillance system exists for Norovirus except where food-borne transmission is suspected. In last half of 2006, state public health departments began reporting more outbreaks involving acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Many of these involved residents of long-term care facilities.

Two years ago, in the (Aug. 24, 2007) Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), CDC confirmed that “ a national increase has occurred in the frequency of AGE outbreaks caused by norovirus (including fatal cases in long-term--care facilities). Two new co-circulating GII.4 norovirus strains emerged nationwide in 2006 and likely accounted for this increase in activity.”

In today’s MMWR, CDC takes a more robust look at food-borne outbreaks in 2006 and finds Norovirus is “the most common cause.”  In an analysis titled: “Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks --- United States, 2006,” CDC breaks down the outbreaks for 2006 on which it has data.

“A total of 1,270 Food-Borne Disease Outbreaks (FBDOs) were reported, resulting in 27,634 (illness) cases and 11 deaths.

“Among the 624 FBDOs with a confirmed etiology, norovirus was the most common cause, accounting for 54 percent of outbreaks and 11,879 cases…” CDC reports.

In 621 outbreaks involving 18,111 cases, there was a single confirmed etiologic agent responsible. In 55 percent of those outbreaks (343) involving 66 percent of the cases (11,981), the cause was a virus. (Bacteria, parasites, and chemical agents caused the remainder.)

Calicivirus caused 337 (98 percent) of the confirmed FBDOs attributed to viruses; and all calicivirus outbreaks reported in 2006 were attributed to norovirus.

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This past weekend in Holland, MI, "town and gown" activities included Hope College's graduation and class reunions; and the annual Tulip Festival.   Out of concern for Swine Flu, there was no kissing at graduation.   Handshakes, however, were encouraged.

And while there were already a couple of confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Michigan, and certain to be more as this week goes forward, Hope College enjoyed a worry-free celebration weekend.  So much different  than last November when a norovirus outbreak closed down the Holland campus and made more than 500 people sick.  We first reported on the Hope College outbreak here.

The Grand Rapids Press reported that: "Visitors were either unaware or not worried about 10 probable cases of swine flu among Hope students, announced late Friday afternoon by the Ottawa County Health Department."

"Everybody is more aware after that (norovirus) experience, says Jonathan Hagood, 34, who teaches Latin American history at Hope. Since that outbreak, hand-washing and hand-sanitation stations were added around the campus.

"We are seeing a more proactive response because as a campus we had a trial run," he said.

For more about the big weekend in Holland, check this out.

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Across the pond, also known as the North Atlantic Ocean, comes word that Norovirus might not be as bad in England and Wales this winter as last. The UK Press Association reports:

Cases of flu appear to be falling across England and Wales but experts have failed to rule out a future rise.

The latest data from the Royal College of GPs suggested cases have fallen from 68.5 per 100,000 people to 41.3 in just one week.

Cases of the common cold have also dropped from 355.3 per 100,000 people to 184.7.

A spokeswoman for the College said it was unlikely that flu would hit a nine-year high as previously predicted.

There is concern that people returning to work from the long holiday break could put others at risk.

Professor Steve Field, chairman of the College, warned that people returning to work and school could easily spread flu and the vomiting bug norovirus.

"GPs are coping and this is by no means a crisis," he said.

"But I think a lot of people are looking to us because they want a sick note.

"My prediction is that people are coming back to work or school and they are circulating influenza and transferring it to each other. We think cases of flu and norovirus will go up again."

For more from the UK, go here.

 

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Brits call it "the vomiting bug" and they are getting ready for its return, reports the UK's Daily Star.   Last winter’s epidemic saw an estimated 200,000 people a week struck down by the norovirus.   Now, between  doing its  best to keep the soft porn  business  alive,  the  Daily Star is doing its best to  prepare  folks  for  still more norovirus.   It  reports:

The winter vomiting bug that caused chaos earlier this year is set for a terrifying comeback.  Health experts fear the norovirus will once again hit hundreds of thousands of Brits.

Already, hospital wards in Worcestershire have been closed amid signs that the sickness and diarrhoea bug has claimed a wave of new victims.

NHS Direct has been advising people to treat the bug with an anti-diarrhoea treatment such as Imodium as well as drinking plenty of fluids. Experts warn the elderly are particularly at risk and recommend staying at home to avoid spreading the bug.

 

For more, go here.

 

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Food prepared at the East Greenwich Gourmet between July 30th and Aug. 1st should be tossed because it might be contaminated with Norovirus.

Rhode Island public health officials discovered the problem when every other guest at a weekend event serving East Greenwich Gourmet foods got sick.

In other Norovirus news, the New York Department of Health issued an advisory to camp directors and medical staff about the spread of the bug through the state's many summer camps.

And in Minnesota, 20 people who attended a Rochester an Aug. 1 wedding reception became ill after "eating tortilla chips contaminated with norovirus, possibly from fecal matter."

Oh Boy!

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Noroviruses are estimated to cause 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis (commonly called the "stomach flu") in the U.S. each year, and are the leading cause of gastroenteritis. Of viruses, only the common cold is reported more often than viral gastroenteritis (norovirus).

Noroviruses may cause more outbreaks of foodborne illness than all bacteria and parasites. They can cause extended outbreaks because of their high infectivity, persistence in the environment, resistance to common disinfectants, and difficulty in controlling their transmission through routine sanitary measures.

The norovirus is transmitted primarily through the fecal-oral route and fewer than 100 norovirus particles are said to be needed to cause infection. Transmission occurs either person-to-person or through contamination of food or water. Transmission can occur by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then placing that hand in your mouth; having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms; sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill; exposure to aerosolized vomit; and consuming food contaminated by an infected food handler.

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Do you think it's possible that some British tourist decided the best way to get away from the norovirus outbreak would be to check into a nice Florida beach hotel? 

If that traveler exists, then just think about all those other unlucky guests at the Hilton Singer Island Resort in Riviera Beach, Florida where 83 people have been struck by the norovirus.  Here's what the Associated Press reports:

Health officials have identified a highly contagious virus as the cause of an outbreak that sickened at least 83 people at a beachfront resort hotel.

Guests and employees at the Hilton Singer Island Resort first reported the flu-like symptoms on Jan. 10.

Health officials were called in after three people were hospitalized.

Test results confirm that the outbreak was norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, cramps and other symptoms, officials said.

"It spreads easily and quickly," said Tim O'Connor, spokesman for the Palm Beach County Health Department. "We've asked them to completely disinfect everything."

AP's complete report is found here.     Also, Bill Marler gives some legal insights  here.

Bill says showing how the virus is transmitted is hard.  He asks:  "Was it foodborne?  Was it an ill worker?  Ill patron?"

 

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We recently were contacted by a woman who posted about her cruising experience on her blog, The Savvy Old Lady's Cruising & Travel Tips.  Here is an excerpt of her blog post about a recent cruise trip she took. 

For the next three days countless PA announcements, many by the Captain himself, were made, especially at meal times, about the necessity of washing your hands before each meal. Necessary, yes, but somehow a little disconcerting when you were eating your lunch and listening to someone talking on the PA about the symptoms of Norovirus and Norwalk like virus, namely diarrhea and vomiting. There were many areas that were closed for at least three to four days or the entire cruise. They included part of the Windjammer, the twenty-four hour pizza, sandwich and desert bar. Some areas, such as Johnny Rockets, a wonderful hamburger and milk shake restaurant and the arcade (there was a special concern about children and teens and hand washing) were close for the entire voyage. Passengers were not permitted to remove food from the Windjammer or dining rooms so we could not eat on the open decks or bring food to our rooms (room service did operate normally though after the second day). We were told the reason for this was so the crew would know where all the food was going. Well big surprise all the revenue center food and beverage outlets (coffee shop, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop and the bars) on board permitted you to take food out. Hmmm, doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines was losing money on this cruise and I suppose that they had to make the revenue up for it somewhere.

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Every health department should follow in the foot steps of Kalamazoo County.  Noroviruses are estimated to cause 23 million cases of gastroenteritis in the U.S. per year. Full Story

KALAMAZOO -- Health officials say it spreads easily from person to person, but it can be prevented.

Thursday, Kalamazoo County Health and Community Service Department officials will hold a symposium to teach long-term and institutional care providers how Norovirus is spread and how to prevent it.

Last year, there were 145 Norovirus outbreaks in the State of Michigan.

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Full Story from Craig Huckerby at Soonews.ca

Onatario, Canada - A source to SooNews.ca reported that a three year old girl from Dubreuilville died from the Norovirus at the Lady Dunn Hospital in Wawa last weekend.

According to one source "many many kids in Dubreuilville have been sick" The children are being transported to the Wawa Hospital for treatment.

Dr. Allan Northan from the Algoma Public Health, would not confirm or deny the death in Wawa. No one from Lady Dunn Hospital in Wawa will confirm this news or wished to comment on this case.

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Stephen Smith of the Boston Globe Staff wrote:

Boston health officials reported today that their review of an ongoing outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center shows that 241 patients and 151 staff members have fallen ill since Feb. 21.

Those figures are substantially higher than Friday, when the Boston Public Health Commission last released figures on the outbreak at the Roslindale facility. Then, 225 patients and 119 staff were listed as having experienced nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea -- classic symptoms of norovirus, the infection that has sickened tens of thousands in New England and across the country this winter.

But Tom Lyons, spokesman for the Boston health agency, cautioned that the latest numbers, which indicate a total of 392 people have become ill, do not necessarily reflect a burst of new infections. Instead, the city's investigation is identifying people who became sick earlier in the outbreak but who weren't included in the count.

In the past day, only three new cases have been recorded, Lyons said. Still, he said, city disease trackers are reluctant to declare that the outbreak is trailing off until there have been several additional days when few if any additional infections are reported.

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A stomach illness suspected to be the highly contagious norovirus has sickened at least 100 people who took part in a regional dance competition last weekend, health officials said Wednesday.  Norovirus, also called the Norwalk virus, causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping, and can lead to more serious illnesses in the elderly and infirm. Billings suffered a community-wide outbreak last year, and several nursing homes were struck with the disease earlier this winter.  "It's still early in our investigation. We don't know exactly what we're dealing with yet," said Barbara Schneeman, spokeswoman for the Yellowstone City-County Health Department.  Schneeman said most of those reporting symptoms took part in or attended the Spotlight Dance Cup Regional Dance, held March 9-11 at the Billings Holiday Inn.

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According to WAFF News - Outbreaks of norovirus are popping up everywhere

The height of flu season is upon us, but this year, there's another illness that's grabbing the spotlight. Outbreaks of norovirus, the nasty group of stomach bugs that get attention when they hit a cruise ship, are showing up everywhere. It closed a Washington hotel and is popping up on college campuses and in communities across the US.

"It's epidemic proportions in many places in the country unfortunately," says Eliana Perrin, MD, University of North Carolina Pediatrician.

It is norovirus. A group of bugs most people know as the stomach flu. Perrin has seen a number of cases. "I've actually seen it more as a parent. I've seen some children in our daycare. They're affected, their families are affected, everybody is sick."

Across campus, Scientist Ralph Baric runs a norovirus lab. He says this year's rampant outbreaks are linked to a strain called G24 that first emerged about a decade ago. "It's been changing every year this year seems to be particularly hot," says Baric.

It's causing a menu of stomach woes that often appear within 18 hours of exposure to the highly contagious virus. "Symptoms end about 48 hours later." People can still spread norovirus for weeks after the symptoms are gone and so can some people who never have symptoms. "About 30 percent of people we've done hematology studies with can be infected but don't actually become severely affected with clinical disease," says Baric. "Do the best you can with hand washing particularly after diapering a child," says Perrin.

More reason to keep washing those hands.

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At Least 124 Sickened

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- At least 124 students have been sickened in a suspected norovirus outbreak at a New Jersey college.

A spokesman at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Florham Park campus said students began falling ill Thursday. He said an undetermined number of faculty and staff members also have been sickened.

Crews are cleaning dormitory bathrooms and dining halls. The recreation center and pool were shut down for 24 hours for cleaning. Hand sanitizer is being distributed at the library, computer labs and the dining hall. Also, students are being urged to wash their sheets in hot water.

The 24-hour virus is spread person-to-person and causes flu-like systems including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Florham Park health officials say test results later this week should confirm the cause of the outbreak. There are about 3,700 students on campus.

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - HOUSTON

The Food and Drug Administration says consumers should avoid eating raw oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay in Texas because more than two dozen people in Maryland became ill last month.

The FDA said 25 people developed nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms after eating raw Texas oysters at a food event in Maryland during Feb. 9-11.

Testing by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene indicated they had contracted norovirus, the FDA said. The virus can cause flu-like symptoms that may linger for several days.

The oyster beds in San Antonio Bay were shut down by the Texas Department of Health Services on Feb. 24 and remain closed while the FDA investigates.

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Another major norovirus outbreak forced Richmond's overcrowded jail to quarantine hundreds of inmates. And the nasty stomach bug may also have hit doz- ens of students and staff members at three Henrico County schools.

The jail quarantine, imposed yesterday afternoon, affects 271 men in the jail's G Building, said Richmond Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Tara Dunlop. It will last until at least Friday, when the jail's doctor will decide whether the outbreak has passed.

Henrico school officials said students and staff at Shady Grove Elementary School and Highland Springs and Deep Run high schools started showing signs of the illness this month. In Hanover County, officials report four confirmed cases of norovirus.

Norovirus causes vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Keep reading here.

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WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. -- No visitors are allowed in and no patients are allowed out of a Westmoreland nursing home Tuesday that has residents and workers who have been infected with a highly contagious virus.

The Health Department said a strain of norovirus has made its way to Bethlen Nursing Home in Ligonier and has sickened half of the residents and staff, bringing the total number close to 85.

The nursing home said it's doing all it can to stop it from spreading.

Keep reading here

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A resident of the Quakertown Center in Quakertown tested positive last week for a highly contagious stomach virus that sometimes affects cruise ships.

Read more here

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Hundreds of Boston residents and some Boston University students who ended up in the emergency room with the norovirus this winter may take comfort in a recent research breakthrough that may help prevent them from getting infected next year.

The first isolated lab culture of the norovirus human strain, often responsible for causing stomach flu, was produced by researchers from Arizona University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Tulane University and the University of Arizona. The project, published this month in the Centers for Disease Control's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, came after 30 years of failed attempts to isolate the virus.

Timothy Straub, lead researcher at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, said the research could eventually lead to a vaccine similar to a typical flu shot.

"[The new methods] may provide this critical link in developing new treatments and vaccines," he said.

Keep reading here

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As an emergency room doctor at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Frank McGeorge has treated countless cases of norovirus, the stomach virus notorious for canceling cruise ship vacations.

But McGeorge has also suffered the highly contagious illness, which can make patients agonizingly nauseous, he said.

"Norovirus is incredibly distressing to people," McGeorge said. "And from a medical standpoint, there's nothing we can do to treat it, except fluids, anti-nausea medicine and time."

McGeorge and other physicians in Metro Detroit and across the state are dealing with more reports of norovirus outbreaks at nursing homes, restaurants, schools and other public places, health officials say.

Last year, 144 norovirus outbreaks were reported in Michigan -- a 323 percent jump from the 34 reported in 2005, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. This year, 41 outbreaks already have been reported, the agency said.

Keep reading here

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Rhode Island is experiencing a general increase in cases of norovirus - a category of diseases similar to the stomach flu - but the University has not been affected.

The Rhode Island Department of Health uses syndromic surveillance to monitor the number of norovirus cases, tracking changes in levels of reported cases instead of counting individual cases. "There are reporting mechanisms in place with schools, nursing homes and emergency (medical) departments," said Annemarie Beardsworth, spokeswoman for the department. "They report back to the DOH an increase in the number of cases - they give a general summary."

"All those systems that report back to the DOH are seeing increased cases of norovirus at the same time," she added. "Normally what we expect at this time of year is a small cluster of an increase. What is significant this year is all those segments are reporting an increase at the same time."

keep reading here

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Virginia Department of Health officials say there have been 130 norovirus outbreaks throughout the state since Nov. 1.

That includes 40 outbreaks in the central Virginia region. About 70 percent of the outbreaks have been in long-term care facilities. The highly contagious gastrointestinal illness causes diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps.

Two Richmond-area facilities -- Lakewood Manor retirement community and Beaufont Towers -- are recovering from outbreaks and expect to remove visitation restrictions soon.

The Hermitage, a retirement community on Westwood Avenue in Richmond, was not allowing visitors at its health-care center yesterday because of illness among residents, but staff did not yet have a confirmation of norovirus.

keep reading here

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More people than ever are becoming sick with the norovirus here in Michigan. The State Department of Community Health says 145 outbreaks were reported in Michigan in 2006. That's about four times the amount reported in all of 2005 when there were only 36 cases, and we could be on another record-breaking pace this year.

After only a month and a half into 2007, 37 outbreaks have already been reported. Local health agencies are working to prevent the spread of this virus. Health experts at Michigan State University say those numbers may still be on the low side.

Dr. Dele Davies, Pediatrics and Human Development at MSU: "We know for sure there are more people with the disease than what actually gets reported."

keep reading here

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The highly contagious virus that infected at least 190 people at North Myrtle Beach Elementary has been identified as a norovirus, an illness most people know from its cruise ship outbreaks.

Nearly 200 students and staff members stayed home sick on Friday, and the school will remained closed for most of this week for a thorough cleaning.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced the finding Sunday after analyzing stool samples from people who were infected.

Department spokesman Thom Berry said people often hear of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships. There haven't been recent outbreaks in any other S.C. schools, but some were reported this year at several nursing homes and residential care facilities in the Upstate, he said.

Keep reading here

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Michael Bates from the Hernando Today has reported that there has been a possible norovirus outbreak at Mallie Kyla's cafe in Brooksville, Florida.  Full story

BROOKSVILLE — A nasty outbreak of possible food poisoning hit at least 30 people and grounded several county staffers and government officials this past weekend after they attended a public workshop last Friday.

It is unclear how many residents who attended the workshop were affected.

County Health Department Environmental Manager Al Gray suspects the victims were hit with Norovirus, a food-borne illness that is highly contagious and can be spread by human contact.

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Commentary from the Associated Press

Three people have been hospitalized and more than 300 people claim they became ill after eating at an Olive Garden restaurant last weekend, a health official said Friday.

Also, six restaurant workers reported on Monday that they were feeling ill, said Marion County Health Department spokesman John Althardt. Olive Garden is based in Orlando.

"We're trying to isolate what the cause of the illness might be," he said.

The problem has been isolated to the Olive Garden on East 82nd Street on Indianapolis' north side, Althardt said.

Health officials have found no link to E. coli bacteria that sickened patrons at East Coast Taco Bell restaurants recently, Althardt said.

Continue Reading...

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Commentary By Madonna McDermott
Director, Student Health Service and Wellness Center

Full Story from the Bulletin Today at the University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas Student Health Service reports many students with suspected norovirus infections.

This infection is often mistakenly referred to as the “stomach flu"; it is not related to the flu (influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.

Noroviruses are members of a group of viruses called caliciviruses, also known previously as “Norwalk-like viruses.” Norovirus infection causes gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines.

 

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Here are some lessons on norovirus infections and some precautions to take in order to avoid becoming ill.

"You probably have never heard of the term Norovirus Infection, but it actually comes from contaminated food and water. It is especially important that you learn about this type of infection since there have currently been so many warning about contaminated food lately. The Norovirus Infection is actually one of the causes of acute gastroenteritis. Some of the symptoms that can occur with this virus are vomiting, stomach cramps, fever, dehydration and in most cases diarrhea. This is just one of the reasons why you should pay attention whenever there is any type of warning about contained food."

Technorati Tags: Norovirus

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29.sep.06
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)
Clay Holtzman

For 13 years, Seattle attorney William Marler has made a name for himself as the E. coli lawyer. Food service companies, vendors and manufacturers fear him like bacteria fear penicillin. Marler was quoted as saying, "I hope so. We're really good at what we do."
The six-lawyer practice of Marler and Clark LLP specializes in suing producers and manufacturers accused of selling tainted food products. Its clients have received combined settlements and verdicts of more than $250 million. That includes the famous 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli case in Washington state.
Today Marler is tracking the nationwide outbreak of E. coli illnesses tied to bagged spinach. The outbreak has been linked to 183 illnesses in 26 states, according to The Wall Street Journal, including at least one death. Marler is representing 81 of those, including, he says, two deaths that have yet to be announced.

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Saturday, September 30, 2006
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE
AP MEDICAL WRITER

Lettuce crops are see in Salinas, Calif. on Monday, Sept. 18, 2006. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, FILE)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Despite the recent E. coli spinach outbreak, food may be safer now than at any other time in the last decade, with illness occurring at record-low rates, new federal statistics show.

Consumers get part of the credit, for handling food more safely at home, but experts say the biggest improvement came from better industry controls and inspections.

"The food is actually cleaner to begin with," said Dr. Robert Tauxe, top food scientist at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Certain germs have dramatically declined, and "that to me is really solid progress."

However, the trend could reverse in coming years if fruit and vegetable growers do not address problems like those that led to the spinach scare, Tauxe and others said.

Continue Reading...

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Weld County, Colorado

September 26, 2006

Norovirus:

« Is commonly referred to as the cruise-ship virus or the 24-hour stomach flu.

« Commonly described symptoms are explosive vomiting and diarrhea.

« Can be an air-borne illness or food-borne illness.

« Is linked to an estimated 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis and more than 50 percent of food-borne illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

« Is passed through food by poor hand-washing, not improper cold and hot holding of foods. The use of gloves or suitable utensils (tongs, spatulas, etc.) is recommended to prevent unnecessary bare-hand contact with food. Good hand washing involves using soap and water and washing for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers may only be used in addition to good hand washing.

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Friday • September 22, 2006

About 100 high-school students in Austria are in hospital with severe stomach flu following an outbreak blamed on a virulent strain of norovirus, according to local medical authorities cited Friday by the APA news agency.

The students and one teacher at a commerce school in the town of Eisenstadt were struck Thursday afternoon by intense bouts of vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, and were treated in eight different hospitals in the region.

Authorities have traced the outbreak to roast chicken served in the school cafeteria, but have excluded salmonella -- at first thought to be the culprit -- as the cause.

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By Stephanie Dunnewind
Seattle Times staff reporter
California organic-food company linked to widespread E. coli scare

With the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning about the link between the E. coli outbreak and bagged spinach, consumers may start to wonder about the safety of everything in their refrigerator produce drawer. Here are answers to some questions that might arise.

Q: Can I just wash bagged spinach?

A: No. The bacteria are too tightly attached. "If you wash it, it is not going to get rid of it," Robert Brackett, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, told The Associated Press. The safest thing is to toss it out.

Q: So, what about unpackaged spinach?

A: The FDA's warning applies only to bagged spinach.

Nationwide, many groceries are pulling all packaged spinach and salad mixes containing spinach from the shelves. Whole Foods Market is temporarily removing all fresh spinach — bagged or otherwise — "just to be on the safe side," said spokeswoman Ashley Hawkins.

At Seattle-area farmers markets, farmers will still sell their locally grown spinach and answer any consumer questions, said Karen Kinney, associate director of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance.

Q: How are vegetables and fruits contaminated?

A: In other foodborne-illness outbreaks, factors included manure used as fertilizer; exposure to dirty floodwater; poor agricultural water quality; presence of animals in fields or packing areas; and the health and hygiene of workers handling produce during production, packing, distribution or preparation.
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Alamogordo Daily News
By Jeff Stevens, Assistant Editor

The residents of Mountain View Trailer Park have been without water or bathroom facilities for 10 days, and until now have suffered alone. However, the situation has lasted long enough that the unsanitary living conditions could pose a health risk for the entire community.

"The question I have is, is it possible if people are allowed to stay there, without water, could this lead to a Typhoid Mary situation," asked District 4 Commissioner Steve Brockett, whose district includes the Mountain View Trailer Park. "I'm real concerned about that."

And the answer to Brockett's question is, "yes." It is possible that conditions at Mountain View Trailer Park could pose a health risk for all of Alamogordo.
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Friday, 15th September 2006
Amanda Crook

DOCTORS and nurses could face the sack for not washing their hands at a Greater Manchester hospital.

The move at Tameside General is part of the latest efforts to tackle the deadly MRSA superbug and follows a visit from a government hit squad.

In future, staff will be legally obliged to wash their hands regularly.

MRSA experts have recommended that clinical and administration staff who regularly visit wards have `infection prevention and control responsibilities' written into their job descriptions.

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From www.about-norwalk.com

Norovirus (previously called "Norwalk-like virus” or NLV) is a member of the family Caliciviridae. The name derives from the Latin for chilice—calyx—meaning cup-like, and refers to the indentations of the virus surface.

Nature has created an ingenious bug in Norwalk. The round blue ball actually is a protein surrounding the virus's genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of cells lining the intestine. Then it transfers its genetic material into that cell. There it reproduces, finally killing the human cell to release new copies of it that attach to more cells of the intestine's lining.

The family of Caliciviridae consists of several distinct groups of viruses that were first named after the places where outbreaks occurred. The first such outbreak occurred in 1968 among schoolchildren in Norwalk, Ohio.  The prototype strain was identified four years later, in 1972, and was the first virus identified that specifically caused gastroenteritis in humans. Id. At S255. Other discoveries followed, with each strain named based on the location of its discovery-location, e.g., Montgomery County, Snow Mountain, Mexico, Hawaii, Parmatta, Taunton, and Toronto viruses. A study published in 1977 found that the Toronto virus was the second most common cause of gastroenteritis in children.

Eventually this confusing nomenclature was resolved, first in favor of calling each of the strains a Norwalk-like virus, and then simply, a norovirus – the term used today.

Noroviruses are estimated to cause 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the United States per year, and are the leading cause of gastroenteritis in the United States.  Of viruses, only the common cold is reported more often than viral gastroenteritis (norovirus).

The norovirus is transmitted primarily through the fecal-oral route and fewer than 100 norovirus particles are said to be needed to cause infection.  Transmission thus occurs either person-to-person or through contamination of food or water. Foodborne norovirus transmission often occurs when food is contaminated by an infected food handler.  The virus is shed in large numbers in the vomit and stool of infected individuals, most commonly while they are ill. Some individuals may, however, continue to shed the norovirus long after they have recovered from the illness.  Aerosolized vomit has also been impacted as a mode of norovirus transmission.

In short, and as noted by the CDC in its Final Trip Report, “[n]oroviruses can cause extended outbreaks because of their high infectivity, persistence in the environment, resistance to common disinfectants, and difficulty in controlling their transmission through routine sanitary measures.”

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Despite disinfection and inspection, nasty germs such as norovirus sometimes stow away
Sunday, September 10, 2006
KIM KUNKLE
The Oregonian

Stormy seas are known to turn the stomachs of cruise passengers, but another culprit can send passengers heaving to the rails.

The microscopic norovirus or one of its cousins does so to thousands of cruise passengers each year.

Cruise industry representatives note that most people don't get sick. The International Council of Cruise Lines reports that out of the more than 8 million North American passengers in 2005, fewer than 1 percent contracted norovirus aboard ships, compared with an estimated 8 percent of the U.S. population who contracted a virus on land.

Ships are disinfected routinely and regularly inspected by vessel sanitation experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Still, germs sometimes stow away, and the small bugs can have a big impact.
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http://www.microbiologynews.info/blog/73/norovirus/

Norovirus

When the word “food pathogens” is mentioned, most will people will associate it with salmonella, E.coli or listeria. Although they are true pathogens, the symptoms they produce are initially similar to a common gastro virus called the norovirus. Viruses are very different from bacteria and parasites. They are not affected by treatment with antibiotics, and they cannot grow outside of a person’s body.

You see, the norovirus is a very common virus that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people also have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only about 1 or 2 days. In general, children experience more vomiting than do adults. Most people with norovirus illness experience both diarrhea and vomiting.

The main concern is that sometimes people become dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhea and may need special medical attention. Dehydration problems are usually only seen among the very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.

Infection with noroviruses

Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:

• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus;
• Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth;
• Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms

Persons working in day-care centers or nursing homes should pay special attention to children or residents who have norovirus illness. This virus is very contagious and can spread rapidly throughout such environments. Particular care should be taken with young children in diapers who may have diarrhea or who have vomited as both stool and vomit can carry the virus.

People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery. Some people may be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery. Therefore, it is very important to use good hand washing and other hygienic practices.

Treatment for people with norovirus infection?

Currently, there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics because antibiotics work to fight bacteria and not viruses.

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M Hjertqvist1 (marika.hjertqvist@smi.ki.se), A Johansson2, N Svensson2, PE Åbom3, C Magnusson 4, M Olsson2, KO Hedlund1, Y Andersson1

1Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, Stockholm, Sweden
2Department of Communicable Disease Control, Västra Götaland, Sweden
3Department of Communicable Disease Control, Jönköping, Sweden
4Municipality of Gnosjö, Sweden

So far in 2006, in Sweden, there have been four outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis where raspberries were the suspected vehicle of infection. The first outbreak occurred at the end of June, the second was at the beginning of August and the third and fourth at the end of August. All the outbreaks occurred in the south western part of the country. In total, 43 people became ill and all these people had eaten raspberries as part of various different dishes. Continue Reading...

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9/7/2006
By Erica Silverstein, SmarterTravel.com

Disturbing tales about cruise vacations are more common than we'd like. Numerous passengers have disappeared from cruise ships, including George Smith IV, whose family is currently suing Royal Caribbean. The Crown Princess tilted sharply on one of its first voyages, injuring dozens of guests, and the Star Princess caught on fire, destroying balconies on several decks. Last year, modern-day pirates attacked a Seabourn ship off the coast of Somalia.
All of these scary incidents lead holidaymakers to wonder: Am I safe taking a cruise vacation?

The answer is a conditional yes. In today's uncertain world, you can never be completely safe anywhere. Going on a cruise does not put you in greater peril than does any other vacation. But, the responsibility ultimately falls to you to protect yourself and your interests while onboard.

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Cleaners have been busy at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, trying to keep ahead of an outbreak of Norovirus.

By CHRIS HAMLYN
The News Bulletin
Aug 24 2006

It has been a busy couple of weeks for Dan Costello, infection, prevention and control practitioner at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Costello, Dr. David Forrest, infection prevention and control associate director for the Vancouver Island Health Authority and staff have been dealing with a Norovirus outbreak in the hospital, trying to stay one step ahead in the cleaning process.

The suspected cause was the visit of one person to NRGH with the virus during a busy time in the emergency department.

ìThereís a high incident of this gastro-intestinal virus in the community and many people required assistance in the emergency department since early August,î said Costello.

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Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006
By CANDACE CHASE
The Daily Inter Lake

Although West Nile virus grabs more headlines, norovirus, a gastrointestinal virus, has caused a lot of discomfort across the valley this summer.

The Flathead County Health Department began a virus surveillance in mid-May, making 14 calls daily to nursing homes and assisted-living facilities valleywide. Through June 2, health officials identified 31 staff and 64 residents with norovirus symptoms.

The department counted 19 cases in its June communicable disease report to the county Board of Health.

Boni Stout, director of Community Health, said that the department still was investigating the norovirus outbreak. According to the June report, some cases were traced to outbreaks in Calgary, Canada.

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LYNDSAY MOSS
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
August 23, 2006

A RECORD number of Scots were struck down by the so-called winter vomiting bug in the first eight months of this year.

Figures from Health Protection Scotland (HPS) showed that there were 2,023 laboratory-confirmed reports of norovirus during the first 32 weeks of 2006.

This compared with 1,344 during the same period last year - a rise of 51 per cent.

HPS said this was the highest number of cases reported during the first 32 weeks of any year.

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Officials advise precautions
By CHRISTOPHER DIEM, Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE ó A recent outbreak of a norovirus-like illness in Marquette County has Marquette County Health Department officials advising residents to take precautions.

Marquette General Hospital and the health department have received increased reports of sudden nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. While a specific cause has not been determined, the symptoms and the easily contracted nature of the outbreak suggests a ìnorovirus-like illness,î according to a health department press release.

ìThe first indication we had was a call from Marquette General where they were seeing more people coming through the emergency room (with the symptoms). Some of the people coming to visit out-patients at the hospital were also exhibiting symptoms. Shortly thereafter some of the employees at the hospital got sick,î said Dr. Randall Johnson, director of the health department.

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Wednesday, 23 August 2006

People are being urged to put off visiting patients in the medical and high dependency units at Maitland Hospital this week due to an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis.

The hospital has introduced strict infection control measures to minimise the spread of the bug, which is believed to have been caused by the highly infectious norovirus.

Hunter New England Health says the virus can spread easily through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain and headache.

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South Korea
AUGUST 17, 2006

After suffering the worst-ever mass food poisoning incident in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development inspected school meal facilities and food cleanliness in 9,186 elementary, middle and high schools nationwide last month. According to the result released on August 16, many schools were not equipped with a sanitary system, heightening the possibility of another food poisoning incident.

The result showed that among 8,024 schools (87.4%) that run their own school lunch programs, and 1,161 (12.6%) schools that have school meal providers, 6,982, or 76 percent, did not have a closed room where food ingredients are washed and sterilized. Nor did they have a separate cook room and a washing room, a circumstance where foods are highly likely to be contaminated.

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By Christopher Cain
The News Bulletin
Aug 17 2006

An aggressive Norovirus outbreak hasnít given Nanaimo Regional General Hospital officials cause to completely close its doors to visitors.

But they are keeping visitors to a minimum.

ìThe need to restrict visitors is something weíre not happy about but itís a step that we feel we need to take if weíre going to be able to continue to providing and maintaining essential operations,î said Dr. David Forrest, Vancouver Island Health Authorityís Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at NRGH.

Forrest added the hospital has always allowed visitors for compassionate reasons and that is unlikely to change.

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Yakima Herald Republic
August 17, 2006

Have you hugged a stranger today?

Public health experts don't find that an odd question. In fact, it may be a rallying cry in the event of a pandemic influenza.

They certainly won't be advocating a handshake, which they clearly view as public enemy No. 1 ó especially if the widespread threat of the Avian flu strain, which has killed millions of birds and more than 100 people since 1997, becomes a reality.

In a public health forum in Yakima last week, the state's top health officer reinforced the message that experts (along with your mother) have been saying for years when it comes to stopping the spread of disease: Wash your hands. This simple task is vitally important when facing the potential ravages of a worldwide outbreak of influenza such as the Avian flu. Experts predict such a pandemic could cause more than 200,000 deaths nationwide and at least 5,000 in our state alone, with thousands requiring hospital stays and outpatient visits.

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BY BETHANY ROOT
PETOSKEY NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, August 15, 2006

The acute rehab unit of Northern Michigan Hospital was closed to admission for 10 days because of a norovirus outbreak, according to Dennise Grinnel, the unit's nursing manager.

The outbreak was first reported on Saturday, July 29, and the unit reopened on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Eight of the 11 patients in the unit contracted the virus, as well as several staff members.

David Gast, the unit's medical director, said he has never seen a virus spread so quickly.

ìSomeone brought it in the unit, left bugs all over, and we picked it up,î said Gast, who has worked in rehab for 15 years. ìI think the hospital did a good job keeping it contained here and not spreading it all over the place.î

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The Globe and Mail
August 15, 2006

Nanaimo -- Visitors to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital will have to don gowns and masks because of an outbreak of norovirus, officials said yesterday.

Health officials reported that 22 patients and 12 staff members have become ill with the gastrointestinal illness since Aug. 5

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By Darrell Bellaart
The news Bulletin
Aug 12 2006

Health officials have confirmed a Norwalk-like virus was the highly contagious illness that spread through Nanaimo Regional General Hospital like a wildfire earlier this week.

Tests for norovirus came back positive Thursday, just as transmission control measures were starting to pay off, says an official with the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

"We're seeing some light at the end of the tunnel," said Shannon Marshall.

By Friday the disease appeared to be safely contained on the sixth floor at NRGH.

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(AP) BALTIMORE Harford County health officials say a contaminated well at Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation sickened as many as 200 campers last week.

Health officials say they were concerned that the camp did not report the outbreak.

Samples from the well tested positive yesterday for fecal coliform bacteria.

The campers are part of the International Jamboree for Boy Scouts of Polish descent.

They were infected with Norovirus. That's a highly contagious gastroenteritis, seen commonly on cruise ships.

Doctor Andrew Bernstein, Harford County's health officer, says it is spread easily between people and lasts one to two days.

The camp has played host to about 1,200 of Polish descent for the past two weeks.

The scouts had come from across the United States and around the world.

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09.aug.06
JoongAng Daily National (Korea)
Kim Young-hoon & Kim Soe-jung
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200608/08/200608082228573709900090409041.html

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was cited as saying yesterday it had failed to determine which foodstuffs carried the virus that sickened thousands of children in June.

Huh Young-joo, the center's chief investigator, was quoted as saying, "The cause of the outbreak was a norovirus, but it was technically difficult to prove which food carried the virus."

According to Mr. Huh, seasoned sesame leaves, which were imported from China, were assumed to have carried the virus, but it was impossible to extract the virus from the food products.

In June, 2,872 students in the Seoul area exhibited symptoms of food poisoning after eating at 32 school cafeterias, many of which were run by CJ Food System, the country's largest food catering company.

In the aftermath of the outbreak, the company said it would close its school meal business and donate the cafeteria facilities to schools.

In late June, the National Assembly hurriedly passed a bill requiring elementary, middle and high schools to run their own cafeterias rather than using outside caterers.

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08-07-2006
KEYC Television

A summer camp in Alexandria remains closed this week because of a Norovirus outbreak that sent campers home early. Last week about 150 of the 570 campers at senior teen camp at lake geneva Christian center showed symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Ten people were treated at the hospital in Alexandria. The camp director says the food supply has been ruled out as a source of the illness. But he says the buffet style of serving food did contribute to its spread. The camp will be closed through the end of this week while every single surface is wiped down.

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Aug 5, 2006

(AP) Alexandria, Minn. A Bible camp in Alexandria, Minn. has been temporarily shut down because of a norovirus outbreak.

People attending the Senior Teen Camp at Lake Geneva Christian Center have been sent home a day early with instructions on how to prevent further spread of the gastrointestinal illness.

State Health Department spokesman Doug Schultz says officials took the precaution after a significant outbreak of the norovirus among teenagers at the camp.

He says about 150 out of 570 campers showed symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Health officials haven't determined how the outbreak began.

Schultz says the camp will remain closed until all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.

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Last updated: Friday, August 04th, 2006 08:15:54 PM

The Norovirus has now infected 162 people in Kittitas County.

That's according to workers at Kittitas County Public Health. They have not received any new cases as of Friday (8-4-06) which could mean two things, either fewer people are being infected, or fewer people are reporting their symptoms.

The virus causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. To avoid becoming sick you should avoid contact with an infected person or surfaces they have touched. As always, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.

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Associated Press

A Wrangell long term care facility has been identified as the site of three suspected norovirus deaths. Brian Gilbert -- CEO of the Wrangell Medical Center -- says the facility is back to normal now. Gilbert says admissions and discharges were halted to contain the outbreak. He adds that the problem was prevalent throughout the community.

It's state policy not to reveal the names of the facilities or their locations. Health officials say the outbreak started in late June when a staff member got sick, followed by 16 others falling ill.

Three men -- all residents -- died within three days of being hit with the gastrointestinal illness.

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August 2, 2006
Associated Press

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Health officials say fecal matter contaminated the water supply at a Bible camp where more than 100 people fell ill with gastrointestinal illnesses.

The Wyoming Health Department reported Tuesday that it found both viral and bacterial infections in camp-goers, some from North Carolina. Nine cases of norovirus have been confirmed by lab tests, along with six cases of Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterial infection; three people were found to have both infections.

More than 300 people attended Camp Grace, near Wheatland in northern Albany County, between mid-June and mid-July, when the camp was closed and the investigation into the illnesses began. Of the 175 camp-goers interviewed by the Health Department, 88 reported some form of gastrointestinal illness since attending the camp. Another 20 people who did not attend the camp, but who have a family member that did, have also become sick.

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Tue, Aug. 01, 2006
RACHEL LA CORTE
Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised against eating raw oysters harvested in Washington state, citing a recent rash of bacteria-caused illnesses that have sickened people on both coasts.

On Friday, the Washington state Department of Health issued a recall for all oysters in the shell harvested after July 13 from closed areas in Hood Canal and south Puget Sound. Packaged oysters are not affected by the recall.

There have been more than 70 reported cases of vibriosis this year in people who ate oysters in Washington, the highest number since 1997, when 58 cases were reported, Health Department spokesman Tim Church said.

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August 1, 2006
BY DONNA BALANCIA
FLORIDA TODAY

Some local travel-industry officials are concerned that the outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness aboard the Port Canaveral-based ship Mariner of the Seas will have a negative impact on the cruise business, at least in the short term.

It was the fourth outbreak of gastrointestinal illness aboard a Florida-based Royal Caribbean cruise ship this year and the 21st in the cruise industry overall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 300 passengers and crew members aboard a seven-day cruise on the Royal Caribbean ship that returned to Port Canaveral on Sunday suffered gastrointestinal illness believed to be norovirus.

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Puget Sound - A bacterium that thrives in hot weather sickens 166 and causes severe stomach trouble
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
ANDY DWORKIN
The Oregonian

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday warned all U.S. residents to avoid eating raw oysters from the Pacific Northwest, the center of a big outbreak of food poisoning.

The federal warning follows a Washington state ban on harvesting oysters in parts of the Hood Canal and Puget Sound, some of the country's richest oyster beds.

Those actions will make it a little harder for consumers to find raw oysters, though many markets and restaurants still offer the delicacies. But they are significantly hurting shellfish harvesters, especially Washington's oyster industry, the biggest in the nation.

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July 31, 2006

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship is to blame for the illness of 221 passengers and six of its 12-hundred crew members aboard it. The ship just docked in Port Canaveral and included stops in the Bahamas, Virgin Islands and St. Maarten.

Sick passengers started complaining of vomiting and diarrhea Wednesday and were treated with over-the-counter medications.

One of the passenger has been contemplating a law suit to compensate her for the time she fell ill.

This is the second outbreak aboard the Mariner of the Seas this year. In January, the ship reported a norovirus that sickened 276 passengers and 27 crew members.

Noroviruses affect about 23 million Americans annually, and 16 incidents of the illness have been reported on cruise ships so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

It is very likely that this company will be sued.

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HAWAII BRIEFS
Advertiser Staff
July 30, 2006

Classes are expected to be back to normal at Waialua High School tomorrow following an outbreak of a flu-like norovirus that left the school short of teachers and staff on Friday, the first day of the new school year.

About two dozen teachers and staff members attending a preschool retreat at nearby Camp H.R. Erdman on Thursday complained of the illness, whose symptoms include upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting and fever, said Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen.

By Friday, many of the teachers and staff could not report to work. That forced many teachers who did report to double up on teaching assignments and caused some students to be assigned to the cafeteria for the day, Knudsen said.

The cause of the viral outbreak has not been determined, he said.

"It usually takes about two to three days to run its course, so we expect most people to be back to work on Monday," Knudsen said.

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July 30, 2006
First Coast News

PORT CANAVERAL, FL (AP) -- Nearly 230 people aboard a cruise ship have fallen ill with a gastrointestinal illness during a weeklong Caribbean voyage that originated from Port Canaveral. The ship is expected to dock this morning in Port Canaveral as originally scheduled and most passengers are expected to recover by the that time.

The illness is believed to be a norovirus brought onto the Mariner of the Seas by a passenger. A Royal Caribbean spokesman says 221 of the ship's three-thousand-660 passengers and six of its 12-hundred crew members were sickened.

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The good news is youíd have an excuse to get a day or two off from work or school but the bad news is youíd will probably spend it curled up on your bathroom floor pleading for a reprieve from your next vomiting and/or diarrhea spell.
By Nick Conrad
Rep Staff
Friday July 28, 2006

The good news is youíd have an excuse to get a day or two off from work or school but the bad news is youíd will probably spend it curled up on your bathroom floor pleading for a reprieve from your next vomiting and/or diarrhea spell.

This is what those who catch the Norovirus -- formerly known as the Norwalk virus -- find out.

ìIn Britain, they call it ëthe winter vomiting diseaseí,î said Dr. Marcia Johnson, deputy medical health officer for Capital Health.
ìItís 24 to 48 hours of vomiting and diarrhea.î

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By James Gosling
July 27, 2006

UK - Reported cases of a deadly bug contracted by elderly patients rose by almost 90 per cent in Airedale last year, according to new figures.

Data released by the Health Protection Agency showed that infections of clostridium difficile among patients aged 65 and over soared from 146 in 2004 to 274 in 2005 the biggest single increase in the Yorkshire region.

However, Airedale Hospital chiefs have claimed that the rise was largely due to the number of new cases found in the community.

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By DIANE CHUN
Sun staff writer
July 25. 2006

A number of residents of The Atrium, a retirement community located at 2431 NW 41st St., have come down with a suspected norovirus, often called "the cruise ship virus," in the past 10 days, according to the Alachua County Health Department.

County Health Director Tom Belcuore said Monday that test samples sent off to the state laboratory in Jacksonville have not yet been identified, but the symptoms shown by those who have gotten sick are typical of a norovirus.

They usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and some stomach cramping. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. Symptoms will usually last only a day or two.

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By Vanessa Pierce
July 21, 2006

The Wyoming State Department of Health is currently investigating the cause of an illness that has hospitalized residents of the River Rock Lodge Independent & Assisted Living home in Rafter J.

ìWeíre aware of gastrointestinal illness at that building and weíre working close with your public health officials to figure out how to control it,î said Dr. Tracy Murphy, the stateís epidemiologist.

At 11 p.m. on Monday night, a River Rock Lodge resident called the nursing staff to complain of nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea, which was accompanied by acute weakness in the arms and legs. As of Tuesday morning, due to increased number of residents and staff becoming ill, St. Johnís Medical Center and the public health departments were made aware of the outbreak. Seven residents have been hospitalized.

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July 19, 2006
Associated Press

A second Celebrity Cruise ship on Alaska's coastal route has been hit this summer with a wave of illness believed to be from norovirus.
Canadian health officials say nausea, vomiting and diarrhea afflicted 105 of almost 23-hundred passengers on the company's ship Infinity.

Also taken ill were 20 of the 952 crew members. The Infinity returned to Vancouver on Sunday from a seven-day Alaska cruise. Officials say the sick responded well to treatment.

Kevin Carlisle -- a Health Canada environmental health officer -- says the symptoms were consistent with norovirus. Norovirus also is blamed for illness among 115 people on the Celebrity Cruise ship Mercury during a week-long cruise between Seattle and Alaska last month.

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Associated Press
July 19, 2006

A state official says norovirus could be affecting residents and staff at the Juneau Pioneers Home. Dr. Joel McLaughlin is a medical epidemiologist with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. He says it's not possible to say for sure that this outbreak is due a norovirus infection until laboratory confirmation is received.

However, McLaughlin says all available data that's been gathered to date makes norovirus the most likely agent. McLaughlin says as of late last Friday afternoon, ten of the 41 residents and six of a hundred staff had reported having symptoms consistent with norovirus infection.

He says the outbreak at the Juneau Pioneers Home is a small focal outbreak.

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18.jul.06
University of Houston Media Release

Houston -- You're on vacation, having fun sailing the seven seas, when your stomach starts rolling worse than the waves. Before you know it, nausea and vomiting have replaced shuffle board and sun-bathing.

Unfortunately, it's a scenario that's becoming increasingly common on cruise ships. So common, in fact, that the National Institutes of Health's Western Regional Center of Excellence (RCE) for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases awarded a two-year $280,000 grant to a pair of University of Houston professors who are studying what has commonly been dubbed the "Cruise Ship Virus."

This RCE is part of a national network of 10 other centers that support research focused on countering threats from bioterror agents and emerging infectious diseases. Each is comprised of a consortium of universities and complementary research institutions serving a specific geographical region. UH and the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) are part of region VI, encompassing institutions in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

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Gut-wrenching, but true, it's worse for passengers here
By VANESSA HO
P-I REPORTER

Whenever 69-year-old Armetta Sadler takes a cruise, she arms herself with hand sanitizer and goes ready for battle. She swabs her silverware with anti-bacterial wipes. She demands a new plate if a menu has landed on it. She presses elevator buttons with her knuckles.

"My husband always says, 'You're not going to get a germ past her,' " said Sadler, a veteran of 74 cruises.

But as the cruise industry prepares to embrace another record-breaking year, the likelihood of Sadler and other passengers getting sick at sea is increasing.

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Jul 14, 2006

Corporate hospitality at Eden Park during last month's All Black test against Ireland has left a bad taste in the mouth.

Dozens of people became violently ill with a type of gastro-enteritis known as norovirus after eating raw oysters and an official report has now confirmed that the culprit was imported Korean oysters.

The defrosted oysters were masquerading as being fresh from New Zealand but the Korean type are never meant to be eaten raw.

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By PAULA WILMOT
Tribune Staff Writer
July 13, 2006

While outbreaks of norovirus, commonly called "stomach flu," have popped up in 20 Montana counties this year, only a few cases were reported to Cascade County health officials.

Elton Mosher, who tracks infectious diseases for the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, said Montana annually sees an average of six to eight outbreaks of the illness in group settings, such as daycare centers or nursing homes. Already, more than 30 group outbreaks have been recorded in the state this year, he said.

Nationally, norovirus is on the increase too, he added.

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Jim Hallihan says the spread of norovirus at the Special Olympics was a 'person-to-person problem.'
By LISA ROSSI
REGISTER AMES BUREAU
July 12, 2006

Ames, Ia. ó An organizer of the Iowa Games, which will attract 14,000 athletes to venues in Ames over the next two weekends, said he is unconcerned about participants catching norovirus, the sickness that caused alarm during the Special Olympics last week.

Jim Hallihan, executive director of the foundation that oversees the Iowa Games, said the spread of the virus during the first Special Olympics USA National Games "had to do really with being unclean in a way. There were a lot of kids with special needs, a lot of hugging. It was more of a person-to-person problem, and all those people are gone."

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09.jul.06
Associated Press
James Beltran

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Samples from people who became ill during the Special Olympics USA National Games this week have tested positive for a virus that causes stomach flu, the Iowa Department of Public Health said Saturday. Some people were quarantined.

At least 30 people were treated Friday for vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. The health agency said norovirus is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, and outbreaks are normally associated with food and water.

The Special Olympics held its closing ceremonies Friday night, and officials were concerned that people heading home this weekend would carry the sickness with them. More than 30,000 people from across the country attended the six-day event at Ames in central Iowa.

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08.jul.06
Associated Press
James Beltran

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Dozens of people were treated for vomiting and diarrhea as the Special Olympics USA National Games ended Friday, and health officials warned authorities in other states that the illness could spread as people return home.

An estimated 30,000 people attended the six-day event in Ames.

"Some people have already left," said Mary Mincer Hansen, director for the Iowa Department of Public Health.

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08.jul.06
Toledoblade.com
Erica Blake and Jennifer Feehan

A popular Toledo eatery is being investigated as the likely source of a food-borne illness from contaminated potato salad that left as many as 100 people sick.

Nick & Jimmy's Bar & Grill, 4956 Monroe St., catered a June 15 graduation party in the Bowling Green area, after which people became ill.

The Ohio Department of Health is investigating the complaint with the help of the Toledo-Lucas County and the Wood County health departments.

Amy Jones, communicable disease nurse for the Wood County health department, said yesterday that potato salad served at the gathering tested "fairly high for fecal coliform."

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06.jul.06
New Zealand Food Safety Authority
Andrew McKenzie, Executive Director
Dr Greg Simmons, Auckland District Health Board

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is reminding people not to consume uncooked oysters imported from Korea. All bags of frozen Korean oysters are clearly labelled as requiring to be cooked before consuming. This product is known to sometimes carry norovirus, which causes a gastrointestinal illness.

The Korean oysters are packed frozen in 1kg bags and distributed throughout New Zealand, and labelled, as is required by the current import health standard, with a statement that the product must be cooked or must not be eaten raw.

They must be cooked in such a way that the centre of the oyster reaches 90?C and is held at that temperature for 90 seconds. NZFSA also reminds chefs and consumers using the product to take particular care with hand and kitchen hygiene, particularly when defrosting, to ensure that other foods are not cross-contaminated with raw oyster juice.

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The Times July 06, 2006
By David Lister, Scotland Correspondent

CRUISE operators are risking passengersí health in the drive to get their vessels back at sea as soon as possible after voyages, it was claimed yesterday.

As more than 100 passengers struck down in the latest outbreak of the norovirus winter vomiting bug disembarked from a liner in Scotland yesterday, lawyers said that they were expecting a series of claims against operators.

Suki Chhokar, of Irwin Mitchell solicitors, which specialises in travel claims, said that he had received more than 100 inquiries in recent weeks with a view to possible legal action against cruise firms.

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Wednesday July 5,
Proper Procedures in the Kitchen and Knowledgeable Restaurant Patrons can Make a Difference

CINCINNATI, July 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As warmer weather and summer travel swing into full force, so do cases of foodborne illness, according to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The busy summer travel season can make it difficult for restaurant kitchen staff members to keep up with the many details of food safety -- and a slip up in this area can compromise the health of customers, which in turn can lead to a big hit on a restaurant's bottom line.

"Maintaining a sanitary environment, in both production and service of foods, is key to protecting the health of guests," said Chef Steve Browe of Paul's 5th Avenue in Grandview Heights, Ohio, just west of downtown Columbus. "A foodborne illness outbreak is the deepest nightmare of a restaurant operator. Ultimately, an outbreak can ruin a business, first by reducing the daily number of people who frequent the operation, and in time, by building a negative general impression through word of mouth."

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July 5, 2006

Operators of a cruise liner hit by a major outbreak of a sickness bug twice in a month have vowed to carry out even more stringent deep cleaning measures.
The Black Prince returned to Leith early on Wednesday after about 100 of the 393 passengers fell ill.

They are thought to be suffering from a vomiting bug similar to the Norovirus which hit 136 passengers on the Fred Olsen vessel at the start of June.

The company said even more stringent disinfecting would now take place.

Passengers have been disembarking from the liner and an environmental health team from Edinburgh City Council is on board to begin investigations.

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By ERICA KOLASKI
Tribune Staff Writer

CHEBOYGAN, MI - The local Health Department has issued a warning to Northern Michigan residents that norovirus gastroenteritis, a nasty stomach virus, is on the rise in Michigan.

According to Cathy Goike, a public health educator with District Health Department No. 4, norovirus, formerly named Norwalk virus, causes a moderate illness which typically includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps.

She said that during the season of graduation parties, family reunions and Fourth of July picnics, residents should be aware of the potential for the ailment.

ìNorovirus is easily transmitted through food, by person-to-person contact, or by contaminated surfaces,î said Goike. ìOutbreaks of Norovirus-like viruses have been associated with both food and water.î

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By VINCE DEVLIN of the Missoulian
July 1, 2006

It's usually not serious, but it can be incredibly uncomfortable for a couple of days.

The Missoula City-County Health Department has confirmed that norovirus - you'd most likely refer to it as ìstomach fluî - is going around Missoula.

More than 2,000 people in Billings have been sickened by it recently.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. It rarely lasts more than a day or two and there are no lasting effects.

However, the violent vomiting and diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, the treatment of which sometimes requires hospitalization.

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The Korea Herald
June 30, 2006

Health authorities have failed to identify the cause of a recent mass food poisoning, making it difficult to hold the nation's largest food supplier responsible for the incident.

Public health authorities said yesterday that they were still unable to determine the route of infections of the norovirus, which allegedly led to the outbreak. The highly-infectious virus is transmitted either person-to-person or through contaminated food and water.

Consequently, officials say they may have difficulty in taking administrative and legal action against CJ Food System which provided food and operated cafeterias at most of the schools affected by the incident. The massive outbreak of food poisoning hit 40 schools and sickened more than 3,000 students since June 16.

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More than 20,000 students are taught in school buildings with no hot or warm water in the bathrooms.
by Brian McNeill
June 29, 2006

Twenty-three Fairfax County schools lack hot or warm water in student bathrooms.

In the ceramic-tiled bathrooms at Marshall High School near Tysons Corner, the chrome faucets pour out a steady flow of icy water. Those students wishing to wash their hands with warm or hot water are out of luck.

Marshall is one of 32 aging Fairfax County schools that lack warm or hot water in all or most of the student bathrooms, according to Fairfax County Public School records.

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29 June 2006

Oysters were to blame for the hundreds of corporate rugby fans struck down with food poisoning at the All Blacks-Ireland rugby test at Eden Park almost two weeks ago.

Auckland Health officials said the outbreak of gastroenteritis was "strongly associated" with the consumption of imported raw Pacific oysters on offer in various hospitality suites at the game.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has been investigating the source of the norovirus infection, a common cause of gastroenteritis.

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Thursday, 29 June 2006
Press Release: Auckland Regional Public Health Service
29 June 2006

The investigation by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) into the cause of the Eden Park gastroenteritis outbreak is progressing.

The cause of illness among patrons at the match has been confirmed following testing by the Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research (ESR) as norovirus. Norovirus is highly infectious gut virus that can be spread directly from person to person through vomiting or touch contact, or through eating contaminated food. Symptoms are predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea which usually last approximately 48 hours.

Interviews have been conducted on 407 patrons. Of those, 81 (20%) have reported illness. Of the four affected hospitality areas investigated the rate of illness was highest for the Hall of Legends where 36% of the 178 interviewed patrons were ill.

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Presbyterian Home officials say gastrointestinal disturbance not serious, has caused no quarantine
BY BRINDY MCNAIR
The Post and Courier

Signs posted throughout the halls of The Village at Summerville, one of the communities of the Presbyterian Homes of South Carolina, warn visitors and residents of a highly contagious stomach illness.

One of the residents contracted the illness three weeks ago while staying at Trident Medical Center, said a staff member at the Presbyterian Home.

"There was a GI disturbance that did occur," said Nicole DeMarco, marketing director for Trident Medical Center. "We isolated the few individuals that were affected by it."

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Tuesday, 27 June 2006
Press Release: Compass Group
News Release
For immediate release

New Zealand is quick to boast of its world-beating position in everything from enterprise to extreme sports, but there's one area where we'd rather not talk about our performance at all. New Zealand holds the unenviable position of food-poisoning capital of the developed world, with rates so far in excess of comparable countries that experts are at a loss to explain it.

Auckland medical officer of health, Greg Simmons, says the cost of this level of foodborne illness to the New Zealand economy is enormous, with some $60m in medical costs and lost productivity annually.

Several hundred people were taken ill as a result of suspected norovirus infection after eating at Eden Park during the second All Blacks test match against the Irish earlier this month, and well over 15,000 of us fell victim to Campylobacteriosis ñ a nasty bout of nausea and diarrhoea accompanied by muscle pain, fever and headache ñ alone in the last 12 months, over three times the infection rate in Australia and the United States.

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June 26, 2006
Health Department says outbreak wasn't Norwalk-related; some still skeptical
By Joshua Cogswell
jcogswell@clarionledger.com

Last month, the Greenville area experienced what may have been one of the largest outbreaks of a primarily food-borne illness the state has ever seen.

But beyond the at least 127 who got sick at a tennis tournament there, few outside Greenville have heard about the outbreak of what state Department of Health officials think was Norwalk virus, an illness that causes diarrhea and vomiting and is spread through fecal to oral contact.

On May 6, most of the 500 participants at the Mississippi State Tennis Association's State Seniors Championship attended a luncheon. The next day, seemingly all at once, dozens of them got sick, according to tennis players who became ill.

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June 25, 2006
Mississippians not told of virus outbreak that left 127 people sick
By Jerry Mitchell
jmitchell@clarionledger.com
Brian Albert Broom/The Clarion-Ledger

Dr. Ed Hill, president of the American Medical Association, speaks with Gov. Haley Barbour before a health summit. Hill said he wondered why he wasnít receiving morbidity reports from the Health Department regularly.

The same state Department of Health appointed to protect the public may now be endangering the public by failing to adequately warn Mississippians about disease outbreaks and health hazards, a four-month investigation by The Clarion-Ledger has found.

A recent outbreak of the Norwalk virus, the leading cause of foodborne disease in the United States, left at least 127 Mississippians sick. The department did not inform the public of the worst outbreak of foodborne illness in Mississippi in recent years, and the disease spread to others.

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Hong Kong
June 25, 2006

The Hospital Authority will enhance measures to address recent noroviral gastroenteritis outbreaks in elderly homes and hospitals.

Speaking after a special meeting of the authority's Central Committee on Infectious Disease today, committee chairman Dr Liu Shao-haei hoped the moves can help identify gastroenteritis cases caused by Norovirus earlier, and better control the spread of the highly infectious disease.

The enhanced measures include:

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Sunday, June 25, 2006
By Larry O'Connor
loconnor@citpat.com -- 768-4926

Jackson County's public and private schools serve meals to thousands of children each day. It's hard to find a group of diners with more sensitive stomachs.

But because schools are open nine months of the year, they get the same scrutiny as a seasonal ice-cream stand.

Schools are inspected randomly just once a year. Commercial and year-round operations are visited by health inspectors twice.

"That's inexcusable," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, who is food-safety director at a Washington, D.C., consumer watchdog organization. "The people who experience the most severe foodborne illnesses are the elderly and children.

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JoongAng Daily
by Ser Myo-ja, Kim Jung-soo
June 23, 2006

After about 1,700 students showed symptoms of food poisoning at 25 schools in the capital region over the last week, the Education Ministry yesterday ordered CJ Food System, the nation's largest caterer, to suspend its meal programs at 93 schools around the country.

CJ said in a statement on its Web site that it had offered institutions where it runs cafeterias and the 1,700 caterers that purchase its food supplies the option of suspending those services temporarily. A CJ spokesman told the JoongAng Ilbo yesterday evening that 114 of 536 cafeterias had accepted that offer. Five were offering only partial menus of products not likely to be contaminated; 16 were still in negotiations and 401 had taken no action.

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Seoul, South Korea
June 22, 2006

A mass outbreak of food poisoning at middle and high school cafeterias in the metropolitan area has caused havoc in school operations. Some schools saw a large number of students go home with food poisoning while others postponed end-of-term tests. Some 91 schools nationwide stopped providing meals, leaving students with no option but to take a lunch box from home.

The Education Ministry said Friday some 1,700 students in 25 schools had showed symptoms of food poisoning such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting since eating school meals supplied by CJ Food System on June 16.

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Ian Morgan
22/06/2006

Norovirus

The norovirus illness that has plagued cruise trips in recent weeks has struck again, passengers reported today.

Several passengers reported an outbreak of sickness and diarrhoea aboard the MV Van Gogh vessel when it docked in Harwich, Essex, yesterday.

The Netherlands-based ship was detained in Harwich last month after a previous outbreak of norovirus - the same illness that has affected a number of other cruises this summer.

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ABC12

GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) - (06/22/06)--'Tis the season for outdoor parties, but don't invite the norovirus.

According to the Genesee County Health Department, now is the perfect time of year to catch the Norovirus because people are eating, drinking and socializing together.

The symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal problems.

To stop the norovirus in its tracks, make sure all food is freshly and carefully prepared and the serving surfaces are clean.

For more on the norovirus, click the link below.

Genesee County Health Department: http://www.gchd.us/eh/Food%20PDF/SpringBackBurner2006fin.pdf

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The Advertiser
June 20, 2006

Australia-A HEALTH alert has been issued over a highly infectious gastro virus which is taking its toll on the elderly.

The Health Department said there had been 64 cases of norovirus, which causes symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, reported in aged care facilities.

Communicable disease control branch chief Dr Rod Givney warned the public to "take the necessary precautions" such as washing hands regularly to avoid further spread of infection.

Aged Care Association Australia state chief executive Paul Carberry said institutions were required to report any cases.

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June 19, 2006

HOLLAND -- A Holland area camp that was shut down last week after several staff members got sick from a Norovirus is ready to open Monday.

The Ottawa County Health Department gave officials at Camp Geneva the all clear to resume operations.

They say there have been no new Norovirus outbreaks among staff, and the camp has been cleaned and bleached in all areas which could further spread the illness.

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June 19, 2006
Health

One more female patient, aged 81, and another staff member in a medical ward of Kowloon Hospital have come down with vomiting and diarrhoea today, bringing the total number of infections to 14, three of which have tested positive to Norovirus.

The patient is being treated in isolation and is in stable condition. The staff member is on sick leave.

Since June 15 there have been 12 patients and two staff members with symptoms.

Infection control has been enhanced. There will be no admission to the ward for the time being. Visits to the isolated cubicle in the ward are also suspended. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority and the Centre for Health Protection.

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By Allison M. Heinrichs
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Money has been offered, a location selected, blueprints drawn up, and advertisements seeking construction contract bids go out Wednesday.

Dr. Bruce Dixon, however, isn't holding his breath that Western Pennsylvania will get a modern public health laboratory within a year.

After all, Dixon, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, has been here before.

"I'm not doing cartwheels," he said. "Once they get construction underway, I'll feel a little better."

Four years ago, the state agreed to equip a new state-of-the-art lab in Allegheny County that would test for deadly diseases such as anthrax. Delays securing money for the $4 million lab and problems with selecting an appropriate location delayed construction.

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Camp Geneva
John Bumgardner
6/12/2006

Camp Geneva is closed for business this week after several staff members became ill.

Below is text from a letter the camp has posted on their website.

(Updated 11:00am, Monday, June 12, 2006) Instead of the sounds of activity and hundreds of kids on the run, it's quiet at Camp Geneva this morning. After an outbreak of illness in the summer staff during their pre-camp training session, the Ottawa County Health Department advised the camp to cancel the camp sessions scheduled to begin on June 12 (including day camp for grades 1-3, GENEVA Shores for grades 4-6, and GENEVA Pines for grades 7-9) for the week. Also cancelled are the first two-weeks of the community swim lessons scheduled to start on June 13.

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Friday, June 9, 2006
BY TOMMY VALUCKAS
Republican-American

WATERTOWN -- Guests who attended a Friday evening wedding reception at the Grand Oak Villa banquet facility say far more patrons came down with illnesses, some serious, than facility operators have reported.

Doreen Gagnon, whose son Brian Gagnon's reception took place at the 550 Sylvan Lake Road hall, said she has tracked 85 of the 190 guests as "coming down with something" a day or so after the event, with perhaps as many as 40 going to a hospital.

"It was a good show and they (Grand Oak) put on a good party," the mother said, adding there were no complaints about the food or service. "But it was something more than just 'a bug.' "

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Associated Press

SEATTLE -- Celebrity cruise ship Mercury returned to Seattle this morning with 115 people who had a gastrointestinal illness during their 7-night voyage to Alaska, the cruise company said.

Three of the ship's 847 crew members also experienced the illness, a suspected Norovirus brought onboard by someone previously exposed. The Mercury carried 2,034 passengers on the voyage.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Noroviruses affect 23 million Americans annually. The only illness more prevalent is the common cold.

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Gina Mangieri
KHON 2
June 2006

Viral outbreaks on cruise ships are a recurring problem for the industry. And now a Hawaii-based ship has had its first reported exposure. Sixty passengers spent part of their vacation in quarantine last week aboard the Pride of Aloha.

To a traveler, a cruise ship may look like paradise. To one scientist, it's more like a petri dish for illness.

"People are mixed very closely with others, so it's very easy to transmit disease through contact, air, and just sort of the environment," said Dr. Alan Tice, a University of Hawaii infectious disease specialist. "Some viruses potentially have an ability to sort of stick or attach to people that's fairly extraordinary."

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By the Gazette-Times
Sunday, June 4, 2006

With summer approaching, many people seek recreational activities on local waterways or backyard pools. Benton County Environmental Health officials encourage swimmers to practice healthy behaviors to prevent water illnesses.

Recreational water illnesses are spread by swimming in water contaminated as a result of poorly maintained recreational water venues, the presence of chlorine-resistant germs, or runoff-related contamination of lakes or beaches.

ìTemporary pools that are not properly disinfected and are used by a large number of people are a special concern, especially since the number of Norovirus outbreaks are on the rise in the state,î said Bill Emminger, environmental health deputy administrator.

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SOUTHAMPTON, England, June 3 (UPI) -- A virus infected 200 individuals on a Princess Cruises ship this week off Britain, forcing the ship to return prematurely to shore.

Carnival UK, the parent company of the cruise line, has offered all passengers a 30 percent refund.

The Independent reports most infected individuals were forced to stay in their rooms during their trip and that the crew was ill-equipped for the outbreak.

"What is of greater concern is the admission by Princess Cruises that the boat had seen a similar outbreak on the last two days of its previous cruise," said Suki Chhokar, a travel lawyer.

A Carnival UK spokeswoman said the outbreak of norovirus caused acute gastroenteritis. She said the ship was being sanitized to avoid future incidents.

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May, 2006
Restaurant Hospitality
Bob Krummert

Not that you'd want to, but if you had to construct a worst-case scenario for a foodborne illness outbreak in a full-service restaurant, you'd have to go some to top the one that befell the East Lansing, MI, unit of casual white tablecloth chain Bravo Cucina Italiana. It didn't just suffer an outbreak of norovirus just months after one befell direct competitor Carrabba's Italian Grill at its Lansing-area unit. Worse, one of Bravo's victims was the professor who's in charge of Michigan State University's food safety program. And, yes, she's filing suit.

We don't know that the suit filed on behalf of Pattie McNeil, adjunct professor at Michigan State's School of Hospitality Business, will be successful, or even that it will make it to court. But if it does, the attorneys defending Bravo will have one tough time finding impartial jury members. Lansing and East Lansing, MI, home of Michigan State University, have been scenes of two very large outbreaks of foodborne norovirus this year.

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Jeevan Vasagar
Tuesday May 30, 2006
The Guardian

Nearly 500 holidaymakers were offered refunds yesterday after a cruise to the Norwegian fjords was cancelled because of an outbreak of winter vomiting disease on board the ship they were due to sail on.

The MV Van Gogh was due to leave on a seven-day trip to Norway on Sunday night, but travellers were turned away at the dock after an outbreak of norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and projectile vomiting. A spokesman for Travelscope Holidays said the bug was probably brought on board by a passenger on the previous trip.

Two elderly passengers were removed from the ship on stretchers and taken to Colchester hospital when it docked in Harwich, Essex, on Sunday. Both people, who were in their 80s, have since been discharged. The illness struck down 70 passengers and 15 of the crew on the ship's previous voyage, also a Norwegian cruise.

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May 29, 2006
By Associated Press

VANCOUVER, WASH. - The norovirus outbreak that sickened more than 220 people at a retirement home has claimed its third victim.

Mina Allen, 89, of Vancouver, was a resident of the Cascade Inn retirement center in late March when the outbreak occurred. Allen had been hospitalized in early April, and physicians at Southwest Washington Medical Center told her family that she was suffering from norovirus.

Other senior centers and a veterans affairs campus have also seen outbreaks of the illness this spring in Vancouver and the virus was suspected when a wave of illness swept a local school.

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May 26, 2006

Across Florida ñ Health departments across Tampa Bay and the state are seeing an increase in suspected norovirus cases. The illness is common this time of year but officials say there are more than usual. Symptoms of norovirus usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly and the infected person may feel very sick. Norovirus is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only about one or two days. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults. Most people with norovirus illness have both of these symptoms.

To avoid contracting norovirus, the center for disease control recommends washing your hands frequently. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables and steam oysters before eating them. Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness using bleach. Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may be contaminated.

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Friday, May 26, 2006.
By The Gazette Staff

The Yellowstone City-County Health Department continues to receive sporadic reports from people experiencing norovirus-type symptoms -- a sudden onset of vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Testing for the virus continues, and new cases are being confirmed.

Since the beginning of the outbreak in late March, the health department has received reports from more than 1,150 individuals who have fallen ill and has confirmed nearly 90 norovirus hospitalizations.

Just this week, a new small focal point of the outbreak was identified at Laurel Evergreen Health and Rehab Center.

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St. Petersburg, Florida - County Health Departments around the state are reporting a seasonal upswing in the number of suspected cases of sickness involving Noroviruses.

The Centers for Disease Contol says: "Symptoms of Norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick.

The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only about 1 or 2 days. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults. Most people with norovirus illness have both of these symptoms." There are ways to cut down on the chance of contracting the virus.

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May 20, 2006
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Associated Press

CINCINNATI Cincinnati Health Department officials say they're still looking for what caused several hundred people to get sick after eating at a downtown hotel.

The health department says about 200 to 300 people who ate at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Hotel between November 29th and December Third suffered vomiting, diarrhea and other stomach problems.

The number of people who got sick has increased. Health officials originally suspected 50 to 100 people became ill.

The hotel cleaned its food preparation areas, threw away any leftover food and ordered all food workers who got sick to stay home until they were symptom-free for three days.

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By LIL ANDERSON
Yellowstone City-County Health
May 20. 2006
The Billings Gazette

Over the last two months, it may have seemed that everywhere you went, you learned of someone who had become ill with norovirus or had Norwalk-like symptoms. Since the virus made its presence known in our community at the end of March, the Yellowstone City-County Health Department has received reports from approximately 1 percent of our population who have experienced the signs and symptoms of this hardy little virus.

According to experts at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these reports are probably a small sampling of the actual numbers of ill people in the community. Some experts surmise that for every person reporting an illness, there are three to four people who do not report their illnesses to the local health department.

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Frequent Hand Washing Encouraged To Stop Spread Of Virus
May 17, 2006

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The norovirus appears to have hit four Vancouver area schools after hundreds of students were out sick Wednesday.
The affected schools include Ellsworth Elementary where 158 of the school's 375 students stayed home Tuesday because of vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. Fourteen teachers, half the school's faculty, were also absent on Tuesday.

The other schools are Fort Vancouver High School, the Washington School for the Blind and Hudson Bay High School where 397 of the school's 1,375 students were absent.

While the cases have not officially been confirmed as norovirus, the symptoms are consistent with the virus. Officials with the Clark County Health Department are looking into what has caused this outbreak.

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By Brandon Cone
Branson Daily News Staff Writer
bcone@bransondailynews.com

The Branson and Taney County health departments, in cooperation with the Radisson Hotel, will hold two new, updated training sessions on norovirus later this month.

The norovirus is a highly contagious gastro intestinal disorder.

Linn Smith, Branson health director, said the norovirus is most often seen in areas where people are gathered together in close quarters.

ìThis virus is also known as the cruise ship disease or the winter flu,î Smith said. ìOne place we might see this disease is in a nursing home or on a cruise ship.î

Symptoms include cramping, vomiting and headaches.

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May 11, 2006
Maryland Department of the Environment

The growing proliferation of home based aquaculture projects and oyster gardens has lured some to eat the shellfish grown for water quality improvement initiatives. Due to the potential presence of pathogens, officials at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) urge oyster growers against doing so.

Shellfish are filter-feeding organisms; they strain the surrounding water through their gills which trap and transfer food particles to their digestive tract. If the water they are housed in is contaminated with disease-causing organisms, these organisms are also trapped and consumed as food. Because shellfish pump large quantities of water through their gills each day, even low concentrations of harmful organisms from the waters can reach dangerous levels in the shellfish. If shellfish containing these organisms are eaten raw or partially cooked, illness may result.

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GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. A sickening experience for five people rafting down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

National park officials believe it's an isolated incident.

A canyon spokeswoman says the company running the river tour notified Grand Canyon National Park officials of the illnesses late last week.

The rafting company "did hold off on the river for a day to allow the passengers a more comfortable place to recover from the illness."

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The Associated Press
Wednesday, April 26, 2006

ALBANY - The norovirus is suspected in a rash of illnesses that forced the cancellation of services at North Albany Community Church.

Benton County health officials tested 13 people who reported being sick. Lab specimens were sent to the state lab and are expected back later this week, health officials said Tuesday.

Pastor Dennis Holbert was one of the people who got sick over the weekend with a stomach flu virus. Holbert said he's feeling better, but still needs rest.

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Wilsonville
Eight staff members and 28 residents have become ill
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
LISA GRACE LEDNICER

Clackamas County health officials are testing residents of a Wilsonville senior living facility for norovirus after six residents were hospitalized over the weekend with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. Three of the residents, who are in their 80s, have returned to the facility.

Five new cases on Tuesday brought to 28 the total of residents falling ill at The Wilsonville Senior Living Facility, in addition to eight sickened staff members, said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clackamas County health officer. One guest who visited the center Saturday fell ill with norovirus-like symptoms, Melnick said. No deaths from the outbreak have been reported.

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By Sarah Barry / Daily Progress staff writer
April 22, 2006

An outbreak of stomach illness that sickened more than 80 people after an Easter brunch at Farmington Country Club was likely caused by a norovirus, preliminary evidence indicates.

Roy Crewz, spokesman for the Thomas Jefferson Health District, said tests determined that two of the attendees had contracted the virus.

ìThat is still a preliminary result,î Crewz said. The Charlottesville-Albemarle Health Department still does not know how diners were infected.

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April 21, 2006

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- A group of residents at a Jackson County retirement complex became sick this week with a stomach bug, KMBC's Micheal Mahoney reported Friday.

Several residents at the Fountains at Greenbriar started feeling ill on Monday. When the stomach virus spread, Greenbriar officials canceled the week's activities, including laundry services, and they closed the dining room. Instead, the 226 residents had their meals delivered to their apartments.

"That keeps people from gathering together. When you have people who live in a facility like this, they normally do their meals in the dining hall," said Larry Jones, with the Independence Health Department.

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Friday, April 21, 2006
By DON HAMILTON and TOM VOGT
Columbian staff writers

Mary Smith knew her mother was dying. They had a few days, doctors said, so Smith and her husband, Scott, sped home to Port Orchard on the night of April 5. They planned to take care of a few things, then dash back to Vancouver the next morning.

But the nurse in her mother's room called shortly before 10 p.m. You'd better hurry back, he said. Your mother may not last the night.

And a moment later, the nurse said she may only have a few hours. Then came the stunning news from the nurse:

"Mary, she just died."

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Friday, April 21, 2006
by Dale King

An apparent outbreak of norovirus that sickened more than 150 students on the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University may have run its course, a spokesman for the Palm Beach County Health Department told the Boca Raton News.

"It seems to be slowing down," Tim O'Connor said Thursday. "We have interviewed 190 students - and 154 had symptoms of it."

Norovirus is a nonfatal illness that causes stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea, among other symptoms. It usually occurs on cruise ships or other communal living quarters such as dormitories.

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April 20, 2006

Stanislaus County public health officials are recommending that residents scrub their hands as the chief way to battle an outbreak of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that has been affecting the area.

Dr. John Walker said the illness is self-limiting and usually lasts 24 to 48 hours. Antibiotics are not necessary for treatment, he added, but the greatest risk is dehydration, especially for young children, the medically fragile, and the elderly.

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VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Clark County Health Department says the number of new norovirus case has slowed to a trickle.

Some of the latest cases were in the health department itself where eight workers have been sickened.

In all, 222 people came down with stomach flu-like symptoms (viral gastroenteritis) in the past three weeks. Three died. They were elderly retirement home residents with other health problems.

The department says frequent hand washing and cleaning surfaces with disinfectant is the best way to fight the disease.

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Virus Causes Nausea, Vomiting
April 18, 2006

MODESTO, Calif. -- A nasty stomach virus is spreading in Northern California and throughout the country, health officials in Stanislaus County warned.

The norovirus lasts 24 to 48 hours and packs a punch, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Dehydration is the biggest concern, especially for children.

Health officials said this is the same virus that appeared recently among cruise ship passengers.

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April 17, 2006

As last week ended, Yellowstone City-County Health Department leaders were cautiously optimistic that an outbreak of norovirus was over.

The norovirus outbreak marked the first time the department activated its incident command structure. Incident command has long been used by firefighters and police, but it was introduced to public health in the wake of 9/11. It is a structure for effectively managing major incidents.

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Health - Seven more fall ill in Clark County, while two more are sick in Clackamas County Fewer new cases were reported Friday in norovirus outbreaks that have sickened more than 200 people and killed three elderly retirement home residents in Clark County. Seven new cases were identified among residents and staff members of Cascade Retirement Inn and Van Mall Retirement Community, compared with 10 new cases a day earlier.
Saturday, April 15, 2006

Washington state Department of Health laboratory tests have confirmed norovirus as the source of the illness at both locations.

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Alex Newman (ANEWMAN@RGJ.COM)
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
April 15, 2006

A Reno day care, where health officials confirmed an outbreak of norovirus earlier this week, is expected to reopen Monday, officials said.

Noah's Ark, 1660 Grandview Ave., closed doors Thursday and Friday to clean surfaces in the school where about 100 children attend day care.

Noah's Ark officials could not be reached Friday.

Health officials said about 60 people have been infected with norovirus, a group of closely related viruses that spread person to person.

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April 14, 2006

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report on April 14 titled, Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Infection with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food - 10 States, United States, 2005. FoodNet collects data from 10 U.S. states regarding diseases caused by enteric pathogens transmitted commonly through food. This report describes preliminary surveillance data for 2005 and compares them with baseline data from the period 1996-1998.

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Friday, April 14, 2006

VANCOUVER -- The number of people who have been sickened by viral outbreaks at two Vancouver retirement centers grew to 177 Thursday, when six more staff workers and four more residents at one home were identified by public health experts.

Three residents of Cascade Retirement Inn died last week after becoming ill with norovirus. Each was near 90 years old and had an underlying medical condition.

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Friday, April 14, 2006
By John Agar
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- A sandwich-shop worker vomited, but felt better later that morning and returned to work.

He had norovirus, which causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Soon, he wasn't the only one sick to his stomach. His illness spread to 100 others who ate lunch catered by the now-closed Blimpie restaurant where he worked.

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted the case in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released Thursday. It detailed Kent County Health Department's efforts to identify the source of the virus and suggestions to prevent food-borne illnesses from spreading.

The virus is very contagious, and spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects.

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April 14, 2006
Reuters

WASHINGTON - A single employee of a sandwich chain who came back to work too early after suffering from a stomach virus infected more than 100 office workers who ate party-sized submarine sandwiches last year, federal health officials reported on Thursday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the man passed a norovirus on to three separate office parties in Kent County, Michigan in May last year.

And it took a week for the restaurant to be closed and properly disinfected afterward, the CDC said in its weekly report on death and illness.

"Illnesses at a publishing company, school, social service group, and among members of the public resulted in closure of a warehouse, employee absences, pay for substitute teachers, loss of wages, and loss of revenue to the restaurant during a week-long closure," the CDC report reads.

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April 9, 2006
KATU 2 NEWS

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Health officials say four ambulance workers are among the 77 people stricken with norovirus linked to the Cascade Inn retirement center in Vancouver, Washington.

Three elderly residents of Cascade Inn have died since the outbreak there was confirmed last week.

Saturday, the Clark County Health Department reported that four employees of American Medical Response had contracted the virus. Also stricken are 52 Cascade Inn residents and 21 staff members.

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By DIANE COCHRAN
Of The Gazette Staff

Billings, MT - Health officers fanned out across Billings for a second day on Friday to educate hundreds of businesses about preventing transmission of Norwalk virus.

"We've been trying to hit the large public gathering places" such as MetraPark and Rimrock Mall, said Barbara Schneeman, spokeswoman for the Yellowstone City-County Health Department. "Billings is a regional activities center on weekends."

The outbreak of Norwalk virus should not deter people from visiting Billings this weekend, said Dr. Doug Moore, chief of public health for the health department.

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SALEM, Ore. - About 100 patients and staff at Oregon State Hospital in Salem were put into quarantine for almost three weeks after an outbreak of norovirus in one of the hospital's buildings, according to a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Jim Sellers said the virus first broke out on March 11; three days later, hospital officials isolated three wards in one building. Some staff members remain ill, he said, but the quarantine was lifted on March 31, without any need for hospitalization.

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April 9, 2006

FOUR cruises leaving Southern California ports were struck with outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness last month, the largest outbreak in more than a year.

Norovirus, which causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fevers and aches and generally lasts a couple of days, was confirmed aboard Princess Cruises' Island Princess, Holland America's Amsterdam and one sailing of Celebrity Cruises' Mercury. The cause of a GI outbreak on another Mercury cruise later in March has not yet been determined, said Lisa Beaumier, a public health analyst with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program.

In March, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas, leaving Tampa, Fla., had a norovirus outbreak and Holland America's Volendam, which departed from Port Everglades, Fla., had a GI illness outbreak, but it is not yet known whether norovirus is to blame.

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SEATTLE, WA (April 7, 2006)óA Norovirus outbreak at the Cascade Inn retirement center in Vancouver, Washington, has sickened more than 40 residents and workers at the facility, and left two people dead. One resident died late Wednesday, and the other Thursday morning, according to a report by the Associated Press. The facility is under voluntary quarantine.

Norovirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in the United States, causing an estimated 23 million infections, 50,000 hospitalizations, and 300 deaths among Americans each year. The virus causes severe abdominal cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms generally last for two to three days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 23% of infections occur in nursing home or assisted living facility settings ñ second only to restaurants or catered events, which represent 36% of outbreaks.

ìThis is obviously not an isolated incident,î said William Marler, an attorney with Seattle-based Marler Clark, who has represented hundreds of victims of Norovirus outbreaks. ìNorovirus outbreaks are prevalent in the winter months, and retirement facility staff should implement stringent precautions to prevent outbreaks from occurring.

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Posted: 9:34 AM, Apr. 9, 2006
Last Updated: 12:25 PM, Apr. 9, 2006

By Kristina Brenneman, KGW.com

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Health officials say four ambulance workers are among the 77 people stricken with norovirus linked to the Cascade Inn retirement center in Vancouver.

Three elderly residents of Cascade Inn have died since the outbreak there was confirmed last week.

On Saturday, the Clark County Health Department reported that four employees of American Medical Response had contracted the virus. Also stricken are 52 Cascade Inn residents and 21 staff members. Eighteen new cases of norovirus were reported Saturday by the health department.

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By DIANE COCHRAN
Of The Gazette Staff

At home, Evelyn Miller couldn't make it to the bathroom on time. In the hospital, she just didn't come out. "All the time I was there, I was going to the bathroom," said Miller, who spent three days in the hospital after contracting what health officials think was Norwalk virus. "I've never been so sick in my whole life."

Miller, 83, was among hundreds of people in the Billings area sickened in an outbreak of the highly contagious virus that began a couple of weeks ago.

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Thursday, April 06, 2006
By TOM VOGT Columbian Staff Writer

What are noroviruses? Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the "stomach flu," or gastroenteritis. The term norovirus was recently approved as the official name for this group. They also have been called Norwalk-like viruses.

What are its symptoms? Norovirus usually involves nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, some stomach cramping and, sometimes, a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. Usually, symptoms last only about one or two days.

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04:07 PM PDT on Thursday, April 6, 2006
By KRISTINA BRENNEMAN, kgw.com Staff

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- An outbreak of stomach flu killed two elderly residents at the Cascade Retirement Inn in Vancouver Thursday.

The two were among those taken to the hospital Tuesday, the same time when the norovirus sickened 46 other residents and staff at the facility.

Those who fell ill range in age from 60 years to 100 years old, said Risa Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Clark County Health Department.

At least eight others have been hospitalized, health officials said.

Johnson said it is "unusual" to have this large of an outbreak. It's more severe because it is in elderly adults."

The Clark County Health Department is investigating the deaths, which will include a look at the assisted living facility's food service, Johnson said. Health officials will talk about the outbreak at a Thursday afternoon news conference.

Norovirus, a type of illness similar to that spread on cruise ships, produces symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea.

ìAlthough most adults typically recover from norovirus within 24 to 48 hours, symptoms can be more severe in elderly adults, especially those with other underlying medical conditions. We suspect thatís the situation here,î said Marni Storey, Clark County's Public Health Services Manager. ìWe are saddened by the deaths of these residents and extend our condolences to their loved ones.î

Because the outbreak has affected the entire facility, no visitors are being admitted, Johnson said. The facility has closed both dining rooms and is serving meals to residents in their rooms.

And the facility has been decontaminated, Johnson said.

She said there are no plans to evacuate the remaining residents at this time.

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Outbreak - Four retirement home residents are in the hospital, and the kitchen is closed as a precaution
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
HOLLEY GILBERT
The Oregonian

VANCOUVER -- Four seniors at a Vancouver retirement home have been hospitalized with symptoms of a Norwalk-like virus that sickened 11 other residents and six employees.

Clark County Health Department officials are investigating the Cascade Retirement Inn outbreak, which was reported Tuesday -- six days after the first patients began reported nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and, in some cases, fever.

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Number Of People Ill After Attending Father-Daughter Dance
April 5, 2006

PROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Department of Health said Norovirus is responsible for an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in Woonsocket.

A number of people fell ill after attending a father-daughter dance on March 31. The Cumberland Hill Elementary School sponsored the dance at the Bocce Club.

Health officials said symptoms of the virus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low-grade fever.

Norovirus is very contagious when people come into contact with the vomit or feces of an infected person.

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April 5, 2006

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The state health department says Norovirus is responsible for an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in Woonsocket.

A number of people fell ill after attending a Father and Daughter Dance on Friday. The Cumberland Hill Elementary School sponsored the dance at the Bocce Club.

Health officials say symptoms of the virus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low-grade fever.

Norovirus is very contagious when people come into contact with the vomit or feces of an infected person.

Health officials advise those with symptoms to stay out of work if they are employed at child-care facilities, restaurants or in health care settings. They should remain at home for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.

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03.04.2006
By staff reporter

A $12 million claim for damages against the Far North District Council was to wrap up in the High Court in Auckland today.

Nine Bay of Islands oyster farmers are suing the council after their farms were closed in 2001 when traces of the Norovirus carried in human effluent were found.

The farmers have identified several sources of pollution into the Waikare Inlet, but largely lay blame with the council-operated sewage plant at Kawakawa.

The case, before Justice Helen Winkelmann, has been played out in the court over the last three weeks and final closing arguments were due to finish today.

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Sunday, April 02, 2006
MARY L. LAWRENCE
THE SAGINAW NEWS

Stomach cramps and diarrhea left Daisy Thompson doubled-over in pain for days.

On the seventh day, the phone rang. It was the Saginaw County Department of Public Health.

"They called me. I was still sick, really sick after a week. I thought I had the flu or I was having a reaction to my flu shot," said Thompson, 67, of Saginaw.

"I went to the doctor but he could only treat me for what I thought was wrong. The Health Department told me to get tested for possible food poisoning. Those results were positive for salmonella," said Thompson, a secretary for Saginaw's Street and Environment Division.

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1st April 2006

Although winter could be finally loosening its grip, the vomiting virus seems to be flourishing.

"It could be a question of a new strain spreading over the country," said Kjell-Olof Hedlund at the Institute for Infectious Disease Control (SMI).

The infectious stomach bug is caused by the so called norovirus. It usually strikes in the winter when our immune systems are running low and we're indoors a lot. This winter, there has been an unusually low number of cases and symptoms have been relatively mild.

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29/03/2006- A new laboratory technique could dramatically cut the millions of cases of food poisoning caused every year by eating molluscs such as oysters.

The method could be a boon to food suppliers and processors who use molluscs in their products, and who risk damage to reputation and huge costs arising from contamination and product recalls caused by noroviruses.

Oysters, clams and mussels are the source of numerous outbreaks of norovirus illness and can lead to severe diarrhea and vomiting after consuming contaminated food or drink. Symptoms typically last for about 48 hours.

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03/22/2006
MARGARET GIBBONS
Times Herald Staff

COURTHOUSE - Five long-term health care facilities in Montgomery County have reported outbreaks of a stomach virus since January, according to county health officials.

The virus is currently present in three of those five facilities, health officials said.

However, officials refused to name the facilities or provide information as to how many patients or employees were stricken by this Norovirus or Norovirus-like illness.

Mike Baysinger, the county health department's communicable disease division director, Tuesday explained these facilities were "self-contained" and that the elderly patients, employees and their families all had been notified. The five facilities are "scattered through the county," he said.

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21 March 2006

The highly infectious gastroenteritis, or stomach bug as it is more commonly known, is still prevalent in the Bay of Plenty, more than one month after it first closed some wards at Tauranga Hospital.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board Infectious Diseases Specialist, Dr Brian Dwyer says that the public is reminded that norovirus is highly infectious, and control is best achieved by isolation while experiencing symptoms, followed by strict hand washing after using a toilet and again before preparing or serving food.

"Please wash your hands to prevent passing this bug on to your family members and your work colleagues," says Dr Dwyer.

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Westside High Closed Thursday For Disinfection
March 8, 2006

OMAHA, Neb. -- Westside High School in Omaha is closed Thursday after an illness outbreak sent about 250 students and staff home on Wednesday.

Parents reported flu-like symptoms to administrators. Douglas County Health Department head Dr. Adi Pour said preliminary tests show it may be norovirus, but as cleaning crews disinfected every surface in the building, they were taking more sample to submit to health authorities. It will take two days to get a conclusive answer.

In order to properly disinfect the school, the high school building was closed for Wednesday evening and classes for Thursday are canceled.

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Wednesday, March 8, 2006
By Rob Daniel
Iowa City Press-Citizen

Norovirus has been identified as the main cause of the stomach illnesses that caused more than 120 students and staff at Longfellow Elementary to be absent from school Feb. 23 and 24.

An investigation by the Johnson County Public Health Department and the Iowa City School District concluded that norovirus, a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis, was the main culprit of the outbreak that caused nearly half of Longfellow Elementary's enrollment to be absent. The symptoms of the viruses included vomiting, a slight fever and a stomachache, according to a press release issued by the district and the health department.

Most students returned to school after the weekend, district officials said.

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03/07/2006

IOWA CITY, IA - The illness that kept more than half the students from attending class at Longfellow Elementary School last month has been identified as norovirus.

Johnson County Public Health officials announced the findings this morning, following interviews of more than 120 students and staff, inspection of food service and food handling processes, collection of vomit and stool specimens from several ill students and other measures.

Norovirus was identified in several of the ill students, health officials said. Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.

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3/7/2006
(Irmo) - Officials with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control say initial tests show that the Norovirus might be to blame for a sickness which shut down a local school.

Officials said Monday that five of the five samples they received tested positive for Norovirus. Norovirus is an illness which causes an inflammation of the stomach and intestine in patients. Click here for more information about the norovirus.

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February 24, 2006
MetroValley Newspaper Group

The BC Centre for Disease Control is urging people to pay more attention to hand washing and to step up cleaning of hard surfaces after recording 25 outbreaks of Norovirus since Jan. 1, about half in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

Outbreaks of gastro-enteritis caused by Norovirus are common in schools, daycare centres, long-term care facilities and cruise ships, and have also been associated with restaurants, according to a press release from the BCCDC.
Practising good, basic personal hygiene is the key to reducing the spread.
"The best thing anyone can do to reduce their risk of illness is to wash their hands vigourously with soap and water for 20 seconds," Bruce Gamage, infection control consultant with the BCCDC, said in a press release.

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Stephanie Stahl
Reporting

(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA The question is, what is the Norovirus virus, how dangerous is it and can you protect yourself? CBS 3 Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl has the answers.

The norovirus has been confirmed in Allentown and at a New Jersey school and they donít appear to be related. Itís basically a stomach flu thatís very contagious.

Noro, or Norwalk Virus first became widely know when it started hitting cruise ships. The gastro-enteritis is extremely contagious.

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February 22, 2006 TheWMURChannel http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/7329343/detail.html
(N.H) Test results are expected back on Wednesday for a suspected outbreak of Norwalk virus at a Salem nursing home.
Symptoms first showed up last week at Salemhaven Nursing Home, and about 60 of the nursing home's 102 residents became ill. State health officials were brought in for testing over the weekend.
The home is limiting the number of visitors, and activities have been canceled.
"They're taking all the right steps," said Mary Ann Cooney, director of public health. "In fact, they're being so cooperative, we feel it will be able to be contained shortly."
Officials said the gastrointestinal virus is spread through the air and by touch. Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting.
Health experts said Norwalk virus is a fairly common virus in residential facilities.

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By Jana Shortal, KARE 11 News

The sickening part about cold days like these is that people get sick. Just ask Kirk Smith with the Minnesota Department of Health. "It always does increase in the winter, we don't know exactly why," Smith says.

Since the first of the year state health officials have reported 29 outbreaks of norovirus,

The 48-hour stomach bug carries symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

"We don't know why we have so much this year," Smith says "we just know that it seems like every few years the peak goes higher than what we normally see."

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Feb. 16/06

Commentary from the Food Safety Network

Dr. Douglas Powell

www.foodsafetynetwork.ca

I used to steal toilet paper.

As an undergraduate 25 years ago, and once my girlfriend showed me how to get at the theft-proof rolls in the university centre, the supplies of toilet paper in our household became one less student expense.

My hockey bag is still filled with those little soaps and shampoos from hotel rooms around the globe.

I was the kind of student -- and apparently I'm not alone -- University of Guelph administrators in Canada were worried about when they say that residence students should provide their own handwashing soap.

About a year ago, the university switched to sanitizers instead of soap and paper towels in the residence washrooms because soap dispensers, paper towels and garbage cans went missing.

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Seattle food safety expert and victimsí advocate has national reputation for success in food poisoning cases

LANSING, MI (February 13, 2006) ñ Marler Clark will file a lawsuit today against Carrabbaís Italian Grill, the Lansing restaurant that was the source of a Norovirus outbreak that sickened over 400 people in late January and early February, 2006. The lawsuit will be filed in Eaton County Circuit Court, on behalf of a Lansing resident who ate at the restaurant on January 31, 2006, and subsequently became ill with Norovirus.

ìIn this case, it looks like employees at Carrabbaís made egregious food safety violations, which contributed to the spread of Norovirus among patrons of the restaurant,î said William Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark. Marler has represented thousands of victims of major foodborne illness outbreaks across the country since 1993, when he represented the most severely injured survivors of the Jack in the Box E. coli O157:H7 outbreak.

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LOUISE GRAY

THE aggressive norovirus reached record levels in Scotland last year with more than 150,000 people struck down with vomiting, severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

Health Protection Scotland (HPS), the organisation that monitors disease in Scotland, recorded 1,552 reports of the winter vomiting bug in 2005, up almost a fifth on the previous year.

But leading microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington said the true number is likely to be "100 times" more as most people do not report the short-lived infection.

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Friday, 10 February 2006
Press Release: Bay Of Plenty DHB
Hospital still taking precautions over gastro outbreak

An outbreak of gastroenteritis (tummy bug) is still affecting some services at Tauranga Hospital.

New cases of the virus are slowing up, but the hospital is still taking precautions to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

Ward 3 has reopened after cleaning was completed yesterday.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board Infectious Disease Physician, Dr Brian Dwyer, says that no further cases have developed in Ward 5 and it will reopen when cleaning has been completed.

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2/10/2006

Half-term holidays have started early for some children in Birmingham and the Black Country as a sickness bug continues to close schools.

More than 30 sites in Birmingham and Sandwell have been closed at some point but these numbers have fallen. Eight schools were closed on Friday.

Schools have remained closed for up to three days in a bid to stop Norovirus and winter sickness spreading.

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2/7/2006

(CBS) CHICAGO City health inspectors have ordered a top-to-bottom cleaning of the kitchens at the posh Drake Hotel along Michigan Avenue after guests reportedly became ill after dining there over the weekend.

About 80 guests and others who dined at the hotel located at 140 E. Walton reportedly became ill with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting. Several people sought treatment at area emergency rooms, but no one required hospitalization, city health officials said.

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By Ben Hoyle
2/6/2006

PLANS WERE announced yesterday for the worldís largest passenger ship, in defiance of an epidemic of disasters that has befallen cruise liners in recent years.

At 222,000 gross register tons, the Royal Caribbean International vessel will be nearly half as big again as the Queen Mary 2, which holds the title.

Measuring 360 metres long (1,181ft) and standing 65m, clear of the water, Project Genesis would also dwarf the Titanic.

Aker Yards, of Finland, which has won the Ä900 million (£616 million) building contract, said that the anticipated 5,400 passengers will be entertained by an unrivalled selection of activities ó still to be confirmed ó when she takes to the sea late in 2009.

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Jessica Aspiras
2/6/2006

Restaurants like the Stillwater Grill in Okemos follow strict standards to make sure they keep their customers safe. Workers are required to wear gloves when they handle food, and they frequently sanitize their equipment. General Manager Joann Decker says the recent outbreak of the Noro-Virus at the Carrabbas in Delta Township is a reminder to her and her employees. They must remember to take the necessary precautions when it comes to food safety. "We've been talking about it saying look how important it is. Look what can happen just one time failing to wash your hands properly."

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By Lisa Renze-Rhodes
lisa.renze.rhodes@indystar.com
January 19, 2006

FISHERS, Ind. -- The scent of bleach was a clear reminder Wednesday that life at Hamilton Southeastern Junior High remains on the mend.
Principal Shari Switzer welcomed the strong odor.

"It means clean," she said. "That's why we like the smell of it."

More than 95 percent of the student body reported to class Wednesday, the first day of school since Friday's suspected norovirus outbreak sickened as many as 230 students and 15 staff members.

Seventh-grader Elizabeth Hill spent part of her long weekend laid up because of the virus.

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January 12, 2006
Mission Record (BC)
Jason Roessle

A quarantine at Pleasant View Care Home may be lifted by the weekend, following several residents and staff members falling ill with the Norwalk-like virus.

Care home administrator Judith Ray says staff believe the virus was brought in
by visitors.

ìWe first noticed it Dec. 29,î she related.

Staff members were getting sick, but then a few residents fell ill. Given the
symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea, it took about three days for enough people to get sick before they suspected Norwalk-like virus. It took a further four days for the Centre for Disease Control to confirm it was that particular
virus, she added.

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5 January 2006

DOCTORS are baffled by a rise in patients struck by the most common form of winter vomiting bug.

Cases of norovirus soared by 65 per cent last year in Scotland. There were 1491 confirmed cases of the bug - which causes sickness and flu-like symptoms -compared with 906 in 2004.

Scottish hospitals were hit by more than 60 outbreaks, with care homes, schools, oilrigs and ships also affected.

Doctors believe the number of confirmed cases is merely the tip of the iceberg and hundreds of thousands of people may have had it.

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January 4, 2006
Cowichan Valley Citizen
Andrea Rondeau

An outbreak of a Norwalk-like virus at Cowichan District Hospital that began
early in December has now been declared officially over by the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

The outbreak, which began about Dec. 12, hit eight patients and 13 staff at the
hospital before being declared over Dec. 30.

On Dec. 22 the hospital announced it was closing Floor Two South to in-patients
and transfers. Health officials asked people not visit the hospital except for
compassionate reasons, and particularly that they not bring children.
This was the second such outbreak in 2005.

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HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent
January 04 2006

Hundreds of thousands of people have been struck down by a virulent stomach infection which has reached record levels, sweeping through hotels, hospitals, care homes and even passenger ships.

Health officials in Scotland have recorded a 65% increase in cases of the highly-infectious norovirus, the so-called winter vomiting virus, during the past 12 months.

The medical profession has been unable to explain the surge in sickness in the latest figures, although a new strain of the bug could be to blame.

The virus can strike hospital wards and force managers to turn away new patients and cancel operations until it stops spreading.

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While itís already made an appearance in the Capital Health Region, Norovirus has yet to strike the Aspen Health Region.
Ed Moore
Leader staff
Tuesday December 27, 2005

Norovirus, formerly known as Norwalk, is a gastrointestinal malady, which usually strikes facilities where large amounts of people are housed, such as continuing care homes, seniorsí residences and schools. It can also occur at social gatherings such as weddings.

ìItís an issue thatís coming more to the forefront with group living situations,î said Aspen Medical Officer of Health Dave Johnson.

The viral infection is more common in the winter months but it can strike any time of the year.

Norovirus can be debilitating for the very young and very old or those with weakened immune systems.

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December 26, 2005
The Asahi Shimbun

An infectious and at times deadly form of gastroenteritis caused by a norovirus is on the rise, medical experts said over the weekend.

While adults usually recover from the illness in one to three days with appropriate treatment, the norovirus, commonly called stomach flu but not a strain of influenza, can prove fatal in elderly or young patients who are susceptible to dehydration or choking.

Seven elderly residents of a nursing home in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, died last winter in a norovirus outbreak.

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Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Netherland Plaza took steps to halt virus
By Dan Klepal
Enquirer staff writer

The Cincinnati Health Department said the food-borne virus that sickened as many as 500 people who ate at the Hilton Netherland Plaza between Nov. 29 and Dec. 3 could have been much worse if the hotel hadn't acted as quickly as it did.

Dr. Lawrence Holditch, a doctor with the health department, told the city's Education, Health and Recreation Committee on Tuesday that the hotel took several immediate steps to stop the norovirus from spreading:

Ill workers were kept away from work for the duration of their illness, plus three days because the virus can spread even after the person feels better.

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December 21, 2005

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. - Nearly half the students at a Bluff City middle school fell ill with symptoms consistent with a form of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection commonly called stomach flu.

Sullivan County Regional Health Department officials worked with school officials over the weekend to interview students and faculty to narrow down what illness was spreading.

On Friday, 218 of Bluff City Middle School's 448 students were absent. Of 129 people interviewed by health officials, 114 showed symptoms of norovirus.

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December 20, 2005

Chlorine solutions much weaker than previously believed can still be used to kill more than 99 percent of noroviruses, the chief cause of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness around the world, a new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study concludes.

Researchers presented their findings over the weekend at the 2005 International Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, which ends today (Dec. 19) in Washington, D.C. They discovered for the first time that dilute solutions of hypochlorous acid, or free chlorine, as low as 200 -- or even 20 -- milligrams per liter will completely inactivate noroviruses on surfaces such as stainless steel and ceramic tile.

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12/20/2005

More details could be learned Tuesday about a food-borne illness that made more than 100 hotel guests sick.

People got sick after eating at the Hilton in Downtown Cincinnati between November 29 and December 1. They suffered vomiting, diarrhea and other stomach problems.

Health officials say recent tests came back positive for the Norovirus, which is similar to the Norwalk agent commonly found on cruise ships. Officials are not sure where the outbreak originated.

A representative from the Health Department is scheduled to appear Tuesday before Cincinnati City Council's Education, Health and Recreation Committee. The Committee is expected to discuss how the outbreak was handled.

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Post staff report
December 16, 2005

It's OK to eat again at the Hilton Netherland Plaza hotel in downtown Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Health Department said Thursday that it saw "no ongoing health threat" to guests there, but will continue to investigate a recent outbreak of food poisoning there.

Up to 1,500 people from the Cincinnati area, as well as Ohio and 12 other states, attended 16 catered events or conventions at the hotel between Nov. 29 and Dec. 3.

As many as one-third of them may have become ill with food poisoning.

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12/12/05
Daily Mail

Pupils have returned to class at a secondary school where more than 250 children were struck down with a stomach bug last week.

At least 1,000 youngsters were kept home from Holyrood Community School in Chard, Somerset, on Friday as a precaution after an outbreak of norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

But only 35 pupils were off sick and headteacher Maurice Hicks, who was himself a victim of the virus, said it was business as usual.

Mr Hicks said: "We are at virtually full strength. We have more than 1,300 pupils in today and all but three staff are here.

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David Casey
12/06/2005
The Pawtucket Times

Itís called Norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness transmitted by the ingestion of human feces, and itís taking Rhode Island by storm.

To be fair, according to Maria Wah-Fitta, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health, Norovirus infection spikes every year at the onset of winter, but the virulent stomach bug is no less unpleasant for its regularity.

Essentially, Norovirus is a 24-hour stomach virus that causes sudden and severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, an illness commonly referred to as a "stomach flu," although a Norovirus infection is not caused by Influenza.

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December 6, 2005
Julie Hemmings

LESSONS are due to resume today at a North Yorkshire school where dozens of pupils were struck by a winter vomiting virus.

Pupils were sent home from all-girls Queen Margaret's School at Escrick, near York, after some became ill last Thursday.

Headteacher Dr Geoffrey Chapman said as a precaution as many girls as possible were sent home for the weekend ñ 90 per cent of the 360 secondary school pupils are boarders.

The headteacher said about 90 girls and some staff had been unwell, although all those affected had been cared for at the school's medical centre and did not need additional medical treatment.

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By Greg Barr
The Daily News
December 6, 2005

As winter edges closer, cruise ship companies that dock at the Port of Galveston are intensifying efforts to combat the seasonal spread of common flu, colds and gastrointestinal diseases.

A Royal Caribbean International ship, the Splendour of the Seas, reported an outbreak of the gastrointestinal Norovirus ó affecting about 8 percent of passengers ó when it arrived Nov. 28 in Galveston after a 14-day cruise that originated in Barcelona, Spain.

About 135 of 1,574 passengers and 12 of 724 crewmembers were affected. The ship left port later that day on a five-day cruise to Mexico and returned Dec. 1. No other unusual incidents were reported, according to a company spokesman.

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Dec 3, 2005
By CHARLES CRUMM
Of The Oakland Press, MI

ROYAL OAK - County health officials are investigating the cause of an illness that forced Royal Oak's Northwood Elementary School to close, but reports of absences from other school districts has health workers leaning toward flu as the cause.

"It seems the flu has hit Oakland County," said Health Division Manager George Miller on Friday.

But Miller said it could be weeks - if ever - before officials know for sure.

Northwood was closed Thursday and remained closed Friday, when 100 of the school's 330 pupils were absent with flulike symptoms. The school is to reopen Monday.

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BBC News

Doctors in Bristol and Somerset are appealing to people to help stop the spread of a virulent stomach bug in the community.

Earlier this week, four wards at Frenchay hospital stopped taking new admissions because of the Norovirus virus.

Southmead GP Will Warin warned that the bug was highly contagious and can spread very quickly.

"We're asking that people with symptoms try to ensure they don't pass it on."

He added: "For example, don't send your children to school, go to work or visit elderly relatives and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly."

People suffering the symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting are urged to stay at home for 48 hours after the symptoms stop, as the virus can still be spread during that period.

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December 1, 2005
Flu Striking Northeast Kansans
Mike Marusarz

A possible flu outbreak is forcing state health officials to warn residents. It's not Bird Flu but dozens fear they may have been bitten by this bug that's causing a lot of sickness. It's happening in Pottawatmie County where since November 70 norovirus cases are suspected and one so far.

It comes quick but hits hard. It's a virus that often takes the form of another stomach sickness.

"I thought I had food poisoning I was making a list of food restaurants I thought I had been too," said Chris Beach who thinks he may have the Flu.

Gastrointestinal Illness, also called norovirous, is hitting Pottawatomie County hard.

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By Adam Gartrell and Katherine Danks
November 30, 2005

PASSENGERS aboard a luxury cruise liner, including more than 180 Australians, are continuing their holiday in the South China Sea following the outbreak of a gastric bug.

A total of 58 passengers fell ill and were asked to stay in their cabins after the outbreak of norovirus ñ a gastrointestinal bug ñ hit the P&O ship Diamond Princess three days ago.
It is not known whether any Australians were among the ill. Six people were still ill today and confined to their rooms.

P&O spokesman John Richardson said the outbreak had been contained and those still sick should be out of quarantine within a few days.

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November 17, 2005

WASHINGTONóU.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently announced the Department of Agriculture awarded more than $12 million in grants to universities nationwide. The grants focus on addressing priority food safety issues by integrating applied research, classroom education and outreach to consumers and industry through the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative.

Virginia Tech received a pair of the grants, totaling $1,199,895. The university received $599,895 for a three-year study titled ìEfficacy of Post-Processing Interventions for the Reduction of Listeria Monocytogenes on Frankfurters.î The research will assist meat processors and food regulatory agencies in educating consumers about ways to control foodborne illness-causing bacteria in ready-to-eat products such as luncheon meat and hot dogs.

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Rule meant to prevent food-borne illnesses
By COURTNEY LINGLE
CourtneyLingle@coloradoan.com

The days of mom's homemade cupcakes, fresh-popped popcorn and carefully cut sugar cookies are gone - at least in the classroom.

As fairies and goblins and camels and ninjas took a break from their books Monday to celebrate Halloween, student desks across Poudre School District were filled with store-bought treats in compliance with health department regulations.

"We do it because we think we're better safe than sorry," PSD health services coordinator Ann Burkett said of a districtwide rule that bans homemade treats from the classroom in an effort to prevent food-borne illness from spreading in schools.

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San Fransisco Chronicle
By Jane Fletcher
10/26/05

You slurped the oysters, devoured the pork chop and ate every crumb of the apple pie -- yet another fine dinner at a favorite restaurant. But at 3 a.m., you awake in a sweat, your insides churning and one thought on your mind: "That [expletive] restaurant made me sick."

Not so fast. You're sick all right. But was it the oysters? Or that succulent pork chop? Can you even be sure the culprit was part of your meal?

"It's like someone telling you they got a cold from riding the 22 Fillmore," says Carlo Middione, chef-owner of Vivande in San Francisco. Most diners in gastric distress instinctively blame the last place they ate, but it's not necessarily that simple.

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BY ANNE CHALFANT
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
October 23, 2005

The cruiser's day starts one of two ways: sleep late, bobbing along in the deep blue because it's a day at sea.

Or, grab the camera and don't forget the water bottle -- the ship has magically docked in a new port overnight.

Heading out to a new port is exciting -- new cityscape, the wafting aromas of new cuisine, perhaps a new language and culture.

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October 21, 2005

The New Milford Health Department has issued a reminder to local residents about the importance of keeping your hands clean.

The reminder comes on the heels of Clean Hands Week, which was Sept. 18-24.

Officials said that handwashing is the single most important thing one can do to prevent illness and the spread of illness.

The Center of Disease Control estimates that 5,000 people die each year from food-borne illness. It says 78 million become ill and between 79,000 and 96,000
die from hospital infections each year.

One of the direct links to many of those deaths is poor handwashing, according to the release from the local Health Department.

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October 15, 2005
BY JOE MILLER
DAILY NEWS STAFF

Onslow County health officials finally know why there was an unusually high number of absences at Dixon Elementary School recently.

In a news release Friday, Health Director George O'Daniel blamed it on an outbreak of the Norwalk virus. The highly contagious virus can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms usually last only one or two days.

Students and staff at the school were absent in large numbers late in September and early this month. At the height, there were about 150 absences.

"It's under control now," O'Daniel said Friday. "Things are pretty much back to normal."

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September 25, 2005

PHOENIX -- Authorities are trying to determine the source of tainted food that has sickened about 100 people on Colorado River tour boat trips through the Grand Canyon during the past month.

The gastrointestinal illness has affected tourists on 12 different trips with five tour companies, all based in Utah, said Adam Kramer, a public-health specialist for the National Park Service.

A stool sample tested positive for norovirus, the family of common viruses that have sickened many cruise ship passengers, Kramer said. The viruses cause intestinal distress that typically lasts for 24 to 48 hours.

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September 25, 2005

ELKHORN, Neb. (AP) -- Officials are blaming a salad bar for sickening 80 elementary students in Elkhorn this week and say more illnesses are likely among family members.

The salad bar lunch served on Monday likely caused students at Fire Ridge Elementary to become sick this week, officials with the Douglas County Health Department said on Friday.

It was either a student or a worker who was the source of a norovirus, which creates vomiting and other stomach problems after a period of one to two days, said Dr. Adi Pour, director of department.

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New Federal Law Gives Parents Access to Cafeteria Inspection Reports

Is your childís school cafeteria free of rodents, under-cooked or improperly stored food, and other hazards that can cause seriousóand possibly fatalófood poisoning? A new federal law makes it easier for parents to answer that question by requiring more frequent inspections and easy access to school cafeteria inspection reports.

Today the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the nonprofit nutrition and food safety watchdog group, released its School Food Safety Bill of Rights, which tells parents how to take advantage of the new law and become involved in promoting food safety at the school level. The new law was folded into the Childhood Nutrition Reauthorization bill last year by food safety advocates in Congress, led by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). It went into effect in July.

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By Sue Mueller
Sep 14, 2005

A recent study published in the August issue of the Journal of Medical Virology found that norovirus contamination was common in oysters worldwide.

Noroviruses are believed to be the major causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis are often associated with consumption of oysters, wrote Wilina W.L. Lim and colleagues at Publish Health Laboratory Centre in Hong Kong.

The researchers tested 507 samples of oysters imported from 11 countries over a period of three years. The researchers found that 10.5 percent were contaminated with noroviruses.

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By CDC
Sep 13, 2005

What are noroviruses?

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the "stomach flu," or gastroenteritis (GAS-tro-en-ter-I-tis), in people. The term norovirus was recently approved as the official name for this group of viruses. Several other names have been used for noroviruses, including:

* Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs)
* caliciviruses (because they belong to the virus family Caliciviridae)
* small round structured viruses.

Viruses are very different from bacteria and parasites, some of which can cause illnesses similar to norvirus infection. Viruses are much smaller, are not affected by treatment with antibiotics, and cannot grow outside of a personís body.

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MSNBC.com
Tests on shellfish worldwide find high rate of disease-causing germ
Reuters
Sept. 13, 2005

NEW YORK - One out of every ten imported oysters screened in Hong Kong showed evidence of contamination with norovirus ó the term for Norwalk-like viruses that cause severe diarrhea and vomiting ó according to researchers.

Senior investigator Dr. Wilina W. L. Lim told Reuters Health that ìit appears that oysters may be an important vehicle for introducing novel strains of norovirus.î

Outbreaks of gastric illness caused by norovirus are often linked to eating oysters and contamination appears to be widespread, note Lim, at the Public Health Laboratory Center, Kowloon, and colleagues in the Journal of Medical Virology.

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Tue Sep 13, 2005

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - One out of every ten imported oysters screened in Hong Kong showed evidence of contamination with norovirus -- the term for Norwalk-like viruses that cause severe diarrhea and vomiting -- according to researchers.

Senior investigator Dr. Wilina W. L. Lim told Reuters Health that "it appears that oysters may be an important vehicle for introducing novel strains of norovirus."

Outbreaks of gastric illness caused by norovirus are often linked to eating oysters and contamination appears to be widespread, note Lim, at the Public Health Laboratory Center, Kowloon, and colleagues in the Journal of Medical Virology.

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Sun, Sep. 11, 2005
By Anne Chalfant
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

THE CRUISER'S DAY starts one of two ways: sleep late, bobbing along in the deep blue because it's a day at sea.

Or, grab the camera and don't forget the water bottle -- the ship has magically docked in a new port overnight.

Heading out to a new port is exciting -- new cityscape, the wafting aromas of new cuisine, perhaps a new language and culture.

Most cruise lines do a good job of preparing you for port, with onboard lecturers on bigger lines filling you in on history, important sites and tips such as "how to lose yourself in Venice because you will anyway." The lectures are supplemented by closed circuit talks on the television channel. Plus there's more help: The shore desk outfits you with maps, can hire you a guide or book the ship's own shore excursions for you. One tip: Shore excursion trips to very popular destinations can often be booked several weeks prior to sailing, and they do sell out.

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07 Sep 2005 21:40:46 GMT

Source: Reuters

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Three people have died from bacterial infections in Gulf states after Hurricane Katrina, and tests confirm that the water flooding New Orleans is a stew of sewage-borne bacteria, federal officials said on Wednesday.

A fourth person in the Gulf region is suspected to be infected with Vibrio vulnificus, a common marine bacteria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Julie Gerberding told reporters, citing reports from state health officials in Mississippi and Texas.

"This does not represent an outbreak," Gerberding told a news conference. "It does not spread from person to person."

"People who are compromised in immunity can sometimes develop very severe infections from these bacteria. We see cases of this from time to time along the coast," she added.

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By SARA KINCAID
Sun Staff Reporter
08/07/2005

Practicing good hygiene is the quickest route to staying healthy at school.
Classes start at Northern Arizona University Aug. 29 and more than 5,000 of the university's more than 12,000 Mountain Campus students live on campus.

New and returning students will receive letters from the university about the norovirus outbreak. It started from a wrestling camp, which contributed to the majority of the 115 confirmed cases.

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By SARA KINCAID
Sun Staff Reporter
08/05/2005

University workers finished sanitizing 12 buildings Wednesday that potentially were affected by a virus outbreak at Northern Arizona University in July.
The buildings cleaned were Gabaldon Hall, which was finished Wednesday, and Cowden Hall, Rolle Activity Center, the Walkup Skydome, Mountain View Hall, parts of Cline Library, Reilly Hall, du Bois/South Dining, Sechrist Hall, McConnell Hall, Health Professions and the Fieldhouse, all of which were finished earlier in the week.

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July 26, 2005
KNews
Kristi L. Nelson

With 16 cases confirmed in the past month, health officials were cited as announcing Tuesday that a "community-wide outbreak" of hepatitis A in Campbell County is requiring "intense efforts" to stop the spread.

Dr. Paul Erwin, director of the East Tennessee Regional Health Office, was cited as saying the confirmation of "several" cases in children is particularly concerning, and that officials haven't identified a source for the outbreak.

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July 26, 2005

TEMPE, Ariz. The Arizona Cardinals announced today the team has decided to move its 2005 training camp from Northern Arizona University following the recent outbreak of a virus on the school's Flagstaff campus.

The Cardinals say they're in the process of making alternate arrangements and those details will be announced when they're finalized.

Cardinals Vice President of Football Operations Rod Graves says the overwhelming concern obviously was the health and well-being of the team.

N-A-U president John Haeger says they're "deeply disappointed" by the decision.

Haeger says they understand the Cardinals' concerns and respect their decision.

Last week, a number of individuals attending summer camps at N-A-U were exposed to the highly contagious Norwalk virus.

Approximately 100 people have been affected by it to date.

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Sunday, July 24, 2005

FLAGSTAFF (AP) - Northern Arizona University has canceled all remaining youth camps on its campus this summer because 103 people attending sports camps there contracted norovirus.

The cancellation will affect about 2,200 camp attendees.

Norovirus is a contagious but non-life-threatening virus causing flu-like symptoms. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

It can be contracted through poor hand-washing.

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By Daily Sun Staff
07/24/2005

Northern Arizona University is going to be a lonely place for the next month.
The university has canceled the remaining summer camps scheduled to take place on its campus in an effort to minimize an outbreak of norovirus that has affected about 100 individuals.

The cancellation will affect about 2,200 people scheduled to arrive over the next month.

One camp, however, is still up in the air. The Arizona Cardinals football team is scheduled to begin arriving at NAU over the next week for summer training.

Cardinals officials will make a determination about the location of their training camp soon. A cancellation would mean the loss of millions of dollars in local tourist spending in Flagstaff over the next two weeks.

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(HealthDay News) -- Over the past couple of years, outbreaks of gastroenteritis or Norwalk-like viruses have afflicted hundreds of people.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says at least 50 percent of all foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis may be attributed to these germs, called noroviruses.

Among the 232 outbreaks of norovirus illness reported to the CDC from July 1997 to June 2000, common settings for outbreaks include restaurants (36 percent), nursing homes (23 percent), schools (13 percent), and vacation settings or cruise ships (10 percent).

Whether you're at home or traveling, you can fend off the norovirus with these tips offered by the Johns Hopkins University Health After 50 medical letter:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, particularly before and after meals, and keep your hands away from your face and mouth.
Every so often, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Don't share eating utensils or drinking glasses.
Avoid eating uncooked food.
If you're traveling, drink only bottled water.
If you're planning a trip and are over 65 or have a weakened immune system, your doctor may suggest additional precautions.
-- HealthDay Staff

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15 Jul 2005
Source: Reuters

HONG KONG, July 15 (Reuters) - More than 10 percent of fresh oysters imported into Hong Kong are contaminated with norovirus, a common cause of gasroenteritis found in human and animal faeces, scientists said on Friday.

Oysters, which are filter feeders, would be contaminated with the virus if they were grown in waters polluted with sewage.

From 2000 to 2003, scientists at Hong Kong's Public Health Laboratory examined 507 oysters imported from 11 countries spread across the Americas, Europe and Asia. They found 53 tainted with norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

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William D. Marler (www.williammarler.com), an attorney at Marler Clark LLP PS (http://www.marlerclark.com) has extensive experience representing victims of bacterial and viral food poisonings. Since 1993, Marler Clark has represented victims of most of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States, including the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli, 1998 Odwalla E. coli, 1999 Sun Orchard Salmonella, 2002 ConAgra E. coli and Chili's Salmonella outbreaks, the 2003 Chi Chi's Hepatitis A outbreak, and the 2004 Sheetz Salmonella outbreak.
Bill feels that a lawyer should do more than just sue corporations. That is why he speaks frequently on issues of safe food and formed Outbreak, Inc. (http://www.outbreakinc.com), a not-for-profit business dedicated to explaining to companies why it is in their interest to avoid food illness litigation. Bill also has created (http://marlerblog.com) as a way of updating the Web on issues of interest to him.

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From the CDC

Noroviruses (genus Norovirus, family Caliciviridae) are a group of related, single-stranded RNA, nonenveloped viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans. Norovirus was recently approved as the official genus name for the group of viruses provisionally described as ìNorwalk-like virusesî (NLV). This group of viruses has also referred to as caliciviruses (because of their virus family name) and as small round structured viruses, or SRSVs (because of their morphologic features). Another genus of the calicivirus family that can cause gastroenteritis in humans is Sapovirus, formerly described as ìSapporo-like virusî (SLV) and sometimes referred to as classic or typical calicivirus.

Noroviruses are named after the original strain ìNorwalk virus,î which caused an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1968. Currently, there are at least four norovirus genogroups (GI, GII, GIII and GIV), which in turn are divided into at least 20 genetic clusters.

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(HealthDay News) -- Over the past couple of years, outbreaks of gastroenteritis or Norwalk-like viruses have afflicted hundreds of people.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says at least 50 percent of all foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis may be attributed to these germs, called noroviruses.

Among the 232 outbreaks of norovirus illness reported to the CDC from July 1997 to June 2000, common settings for outbreaks include restaurants (36 percent), nursing homes (23 percent), schools (13 percent), and vacation settings or cruise ships (10 percent).

Whether you're at home or traveling, you can fend off the norovirus with these tips offered by the Johns Hopkins University Health After 50 medical letter:

ïWash your hands frequently with soap and water, particularly before and after meals, and keep your hands away from your face and mouth.
ïEvery so often, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
ïDon't share eating utensils or drinking glasses.
ïAvoid eating uncooked food.
ïIf you're traveling, drink only bottled water.
ïIf you're planning a trip and are over 65 or have a weakened immune system, your doctor may suggest additional precautions.

-- HealthDay Staff
Copyright © 2005 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

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By Carole Sugarman

My daughter never met a chicken tender she didn't like. But during a recent family vacation in Florida, 9-year-old Anna was struck with a bad case of salmonellosis -- disease caused by salmonella. And while we'll never know for sure, we strongly suspect it was caused by contaminated, undercooked poultry at one of her daily restaurant chicken meals.

There is more than a little irony in this tale of excruciating stomach pains, bathroom vigils and hospital emergency rooms.

As a food writer for 25 years, I've interviewed numerous victims of food-borne diseases and parents of children who've died from them. I've attended scores of conferences and hearings where food safety issues are debated among government officials, industry and activist groups.

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www.about-norwalk.com

Norovirus (previously called "Norwalk-like virusî or NLV) is a member of the family Caliciviridae. The name derives from the Latin for chiliceócalyxómeaning cup-like, and refers to the indentations of the virus surface.

Nature has created an ingenious bug in Norwalk. The round blue ball actually is a protein surrounding the virus's genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of cells lining the intestine. Then it transfers its genetic material into that cell. There it reproduces, finally killing the human cell to release new copies of it that attach to more cells of the intestine's lining.

The family of Caliciviridae consists of several distinct groups of viruses that were first named after the places where outbreaks occurred. The first such outbreak occurred in 1968 among schoolchildren in Norwalk, Ohio.1 The prototype strain was identified four years later, in 1972, and was the first virus identified that specifically caused gastroenteritis in humans. Id. At S255. Other discoveries followed, with each strain named based on the location of its discovery-location, e.g., Montgomery County, Snow Mountain, Mexico, Hawaii, Parmatta, Taunton, and Toronto viruses. A study published in 1977 found that the Toronto virus was the second most common cause of gastroenteritis in children.2

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By Fredrick Gary
Guest Commentary by local resident

In today's consumer world, some of the best vacation buys are undeniably cruise vacations. After all, cruise passengers are being fed, housed, transported, and entertained in grand style, and all for the price of a good hotel stay.

I have been on eight cruises and always enjoy myself to the max. Which I am pretty confident is the norm and not the exception.

In spite of the outstanding safety record of cruise lines in general, I still hear some people say that they won't go on a cruise because of their fear of ships and the sea. This attitude is surely unfounded when we consider the facts of the matter.

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June 24, 2005

(HealthDay News) -- Over the past couple of years, outbreaks of gastroenteritis or Norwalk-like viruses have afflicted hundreds of people, especially aboard cruise ships where confined living conditions allow the virus to spread rapidly.

Whether you're at home or traveling, you can fend off the Norwalk virus with these tips offered by the Johns Hopkins University Health After 50 medical letter:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, particularly before and after meals, and keep your hands away from your face and mouth.
Every so often, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Don't share eating utensils or drinking glasses.
Avoid eating uncooked food.
If you're traveling, drink only bottled water.
If you're planning a trip and are over 65 or have a weakened immune system, your doctor may suggest additional precautions.

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June 17, 2005

A norovirus caused the illnesses that led to hundreds of absences at the Myers Corners Elementary School in May, Dutchess County De-partment of Health officials said Thursday.

Rich Robbins, a public health sanitarian, said laboratory confirmation of the virus came Wednesday.

The Wappingers district school closed early May 13 after hundreds of children stayed home because they had fallen ill or their parents were concerned they would catch the virus during class.

Noroviruses cause "stomach flu" or gastroenteritis with symptoms including vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and some stomach cramping, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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For more information see:
www.about-norwalk.com

Norovirus (previously called "Norwalk-like virusî or NLV) is a member of the family Caliciviridae. The name derives from the Latin for chiliceócalyxómeaning cup-like, and refers to the indentations of the virus surface.

Nature has created an ingenious bug in Norwalk. The round blue ball actually is a protein surrounding the virus's genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of cells lining the intestine. Then it transfers its genetic material into that cell. There it reproduces, finally killing the human cell to release new copies of it that attach to more cells of the intestine's lining.

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Tue 07 Jun 2005
VIRGINIA (myDNA News)

Virginia Tech's High Pressure Processing Laboratory is part of a $600,000 study of the effects of high hydrostatic pressure in inactivating Norwalk virus in seafood, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service to study.

The laboratory is a facility of the Department of Food Science and Technology, devoted to improving food safety and food processing. Virginia Tech will collaborate with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Microbial Safety of Aquaculture Products Center of Excellence in Dover, Del. and the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta.

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By Harvey T. Rockwood
Sun Newspapers
6/2/2005

An apparent outbreak of a viral gastrointestinal illness among students at a Bloomington school appeared to be subsiding late last week.

That news came after more than 120 students at Poplar Bridge Elementary School became ill earlier in the week, suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, city and school officials said. None of the students required hospitalization.

Absentee rates among students at Poplar Bridge Elementary had dropped to near-normal levels by weekís end, said Dawn Willson, health service supervisor for the Bloomington School District.

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2005-05-25
by Bonny C. Millard
of The Daily Times Staff

Students at Porter Elementary School suffered from a commonly known ailment -- the stomach flu -- earlier this month when a large number of students were absent.

The results of samples from six students came in from the state Tuesday morning, confirming the students had had norovirus, said Micky Roberts, county health director. Norovirus is commonly referred to as stomach flu.

The Blount County Health Department was called to the school May 4 to determine what was causing the students to be sick. Roberts said when that many students are out without a reasonable explanation, then the Health Department is notified.

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Potential for Norovirus encourages agency coordination and lots of handwashing
May 23, 2005
Monday

With many cruise ships expected in Ketchikan and other Alaska communities throughout the summer, as well as thousands of other tourists arriving in Alaska by plane and automobile, the potential is high that we will see cases of Norovirus and other infectious diseases this summer according to the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services. Norovirus may be found at low levels throughout the year in some communities, however, the massive movement of people during the summer season makes it more likely to see a sudden outbreak.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other local, state and federal agencies to help ensure our communities are safe and healthy.

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Sat, May 07, 2005
Health officials say virus that sickened kids is likely Norwalk type
KAREN GARLOCH
Staff Writer

The illness that caused about 160 children to stay home from Matthews Elementary School Wednesday was probably a virus similar to the one that has sickened cruise ship passengers in recent years, Mecklenburg County Health Department officials said Friday.

Noroviruses, also called Norwalk-like viruses, cause "stomach flu" or gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. The illness is usually mild and victims recover quickly, in six to 36 hours, said health director Dr. Wynn Mabry.

None of the sick children went to a hospital, but some did see doctors.

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May 6, 2005

MATTHEWS, N.C. -- The Mecklenburg County Health Department said it believes the norovirus was the cause of hundreds of kids to become sick at Matthews Elementary School.

The virus causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and mild fever.

Health workers said it's a short-lived illness with no long-term health effects.

More than 120 students either called in or went home sick for the second day in a row on Thursday at Matthews Elementary School.

"We're seeing some students at other schools with similar types of symptoms, but not in the numbers of this particular school," said Mecklenburg County Health Department's Dr. Wynn Mabry.

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by Lynn Melling
Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Anchorage, Alaska - An outbreak of norovirus has hit the Pogo Gold Mine, located north of Fairbanks.

Of the 300 people at the camp, about half have been exposed to the virus, according to state health officials. They say it's a common virus that is spread easily in close quarters, like a cruise ship or a mining camp. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, lasting one to two days.

But officials believe the worst of the outbreak is over.

Health officials say it does not pose a major health risk, and the best way to avoid it is by washing your hands.

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With media attention on product recalls due to potential contamination with such bacteria and viruses as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and hepatitis A and outbreaks of illnesses caused by these pathogens comes consumersí need to know about foodborne pathogens. Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that has represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness outbreaks across the country, re-launched its Web site about foodborne illness, www.foodborneillness.com, in mid-April.

(PRWEB) May 3, 2005 -- Foodborne illnesses, such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Hepatitis A, have been the topic of news reports across the nation in recent months. With media attention on product recalls and outbreaks comes consumersí need to know about foodborne pathogens. Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that has represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness outbreaks across the country, re-launched its Web site about foodborne illness, www.foodborneillness.com, in mid-April.

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Marc-Alain Widdowson,Stephan S. Monroe, and Roger I. Glass
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
May 2005

In 1972, noroviruses (previously called "Norwalk-like viruses") were discovered as the first viruses definitively associated with acute gastroenteritis. During the next 2 decades, researchers were unable to develop simple methods to detect these common viruses or to find the etiologic agents of nonbacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks and hospitalizations. Indeed, of >2,500 foodborne outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1993 to 1997, <1% were attributed to noroviruses, and 68% were of "unknown etiology" (1). As a result, noroviruses were out of sight and mind and thus relegated to a minor role as agents of gastroenteritis at a time when high-profile outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis (2) and Escherichia coli (3) had focused attention and budgets on preventing foodborne bacterial illnesses.

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By Tom Stieghorst
Business Writer
April 27, 2005

Cruise ships are cleaner than ever, but disease outbreaks remain historically high, according to data presented on Tuesday by the federal cruise sanitation program.

Labs approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control confirmed 26 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships in 2004, compared with 25 the year before and 29 in 2002. By contrast there were only three outbreaks in 2001, the last year before a new variant of virus began to cause diarrhea and vomiting to increase.

"In 2001, we had this dramatic, massive increase in outbreaks associated with viruses," said Dr. Elaine Cramer, medical epidemiologist for the CDC's vessel sanitation program. The group conducted its annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday.

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4/24/2005
By: News 8 Austin Staff

Two customers and three employees tested positive for norovirus after being exposed to it at the Jason's Deli Arboretum location.

The virus is a gastrointestinal illness and a leading cause of foodborne diseases.

Management said there's no telling how the virus entered the deli, whether through employees or customers.

All 47 Jason's Deli employees at North Austin location were tested. Those three tested positive are not allowed to return until after they test negative for the virus.

The health department said 51 people reported getting sick after eating catered meals there on April 12 and 13.

The restaurant opened Friday after management spent 14 hours sanitizing it.

Cleaning crews disposed of all food and paper in the deli.

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www.news8austin.com
4/21/2005
By: News 8 Austin Staff

The Jason's Deli Arboretum location has been temporarily closed by the health department after 51 people reported getting sick after eating catered meals from there.

The health department said the lunches in question were served on April 12 and 13.

Authorities became involved when people called them April 15 reporting symptoms of food poisoning.

The health department received confirmation Wednesday that the source of the illnesses is norovirus. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Dehydration is the most serious complication, especially in infants and the elderly.

People usually get sick within 12 hours of eating an infected food and the illness typically lasts two to three days.

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2005-04-16

A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed important declines in foodborne infections due to common bacterial pathogens in 2004.

For the first time, cases of E. coli O157 infections, one of the most severe foodborne diseases, are below the national Healthy People 2010 health goal. From 1996-2004, the incidence of E. coli O157 infections decreased 42 percent. Campylobacter infections decreased 31 percent, Cryptosporidium dropped 40 percent, and Yersinia decreased 45 percent.

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Since 2002 Diamondback series, eateries' health violations decrease
By Matt Santoni
April 13, 2005

Two years after a rash of health code violations at several of College Parkís most popular restaurants, health department records show most businesses have cleaned up their acts.

Between 1998 and 2002, Prince Georgeís County inspection records for 29 College Park restaurants showed several downtown staples were chronic violators of county health code regulations. As of 2004, most have shown considerably fewer violations and complaints.

Dannyís Sub Shop, Ratsieís and Pizza Boliís had all been temporarily closed by the health department between 1999 and 2001 for violations ranging from improper food storage to missing permits.

Dannyís Sub Shop showed the most progress: after receiving or not correcting so many critical violations between 1998 and 2002 it was regularly classified as a ìchronic offender,î the popular late-night eatery was cited only a few times in 2004 for cleaning issues.

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By Jacob Resneck
April 1 2005

State health officials are investigating a mysterious illness that left 19 people sick to their stomachs after they ate raw Tomales Bay oysters. While the Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall quickly recalled thousands of oysters sold before March 18, co-owner Terry Sawyer told The Light he doubts the illnesses were from infected oysters. In cooperation with state health officials, Sawyer on March 18 shut down the oyster farm as a precaution, although it has since been given the all clear to reopen.

"So far thereís been no connection between the illness and the oysters," Sawyer said Wednesday. "Weíre getting reports from retail places that sell our oysters that there were people who ate oysters who didnít get sick as well as people who didnít eat oysters and got sick. We sold 15,000 oysters retail and 45,000 oysters wholesale during that period. So if the oysters had been infected, youíd think weíd have a lot more than 19 cases on our hands."

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April 01, 2005
What is it?

Noroviruses are a group of highly contagious, rapidly spreading viruses that cause "the stomach flu" or gastroenteritis. Other names for noroviruses include "Norwalk-like" and "cruise-ship."

What are the symptoms?

Sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; sometimes, fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.

How is it different from bacteria-caused diseases?

Viruses can't be treated with antibiotics.

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Norovirus (previously called "Norwalk-like virusî or NLV) is a member of the family Caliciviridae. The name derives from the Latin for chiliceócalyxómeaning cup-like, and refers to the indentations of the virus surface.

Nature has created an ingenious bug in Norwalk. The round blue ball actually is a protein surrounding the virus's genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of cells lining the intestine. Then it transfers its genetic material into that cell. There it reproduces, finally killing the human cell to release new copies of it that attach to more cells of the intestine's lining.

The family of Caliciviridae consists of several distinct groups of viruses that were first named after the places where outbreaks occurred. The first such outbreak occurred in 1968 among schoolchildren in Norwalk, Ohio. The prototype strain was identified four years later, in 1972, and was the first virus identified that specifically caused gastroenteritis in humans. Id. At S255. Other discoveries followed, with each strain named based on the location of its discovery-location, e.g., Montgomery County, Snow Mountain, Mexico, Hawaii, Parmatta, Taunton, and Toronto viruses. A study published in 1977 found that the Toronto virus was the second most common cause of gastroenteritis in children.

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By Judith Blake
Seattle Times staff reporter
March 23, 2005

The calls run the food-safety gamut:

ï A Seattle-area woman said she'd found walnuts in a packaged, pre-cut salad mix, though nuts were not listed in the ingredients. Her young son, who was severely allergic to walnuts, did not eat any of the nuts, but the woman worried that someone else might have an allergic reaction to the mislabeled product.

ï A man discovered mold on the meat-filled breakfast burrito he'd purchased at a convenience store.

ï A woman was dismayed to find larvae in an energy snack bar.

These are among the calls consumers have made to the new toll-free Food Safety Consumer Complaint Hotline (1-800-843-7890) launched in January by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Goal: to reduce the risk of food-borne illness by making it easier for consumers to lodge complaints and for officials to address them.

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Fri, 18 Mar 2005
CBC News

WASHINGTON - Travellers who come down with diarrhea after returning home from Mexico and Guatemala may be feeling the effects of Norovirus, researchers say.

It's estimated from 20 to 50 per cent of people who travel to tropical areas will experience traveller's diarrhea ñ three or more loose stool movements in 24 hours.

Noroviruses in particular are considered one of the leading non-bacterial causes of the upset.

FROM JAN. 26, 2005: Incidence of Norwalk virus climbs 15 times in less than a decade.

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Norovirus may be the most common cause of travelers' diarrhea for United States citizens returning from Mexico and Guatamala say researchers from the U.S., Guatemala, Mexico and Sweden. Their findings appear in the March 2005 issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.

It is estimated that 20 to 50 percent of the people traveling to tropical areas of the world will experience traveler's diarrhea (TD). TD, defined as three or more loose stool movements in a 24-hour period, frequently results from exposure to bacterial or viral pathogens. Noroviruses (NoV's) are considered to be one of the leading causes of nonbacterial gastro-related illnesses resulting in over 23 million cases annually.

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Mar 10, 2005

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Health officials are warning people to wash their hands frequently and stay home if they feel sick because of an increase in reports of stomach flu.

The state Department of Health says health providers are seeing more Norovirus, which is often called stomach flu.

They say it's highly contagious. It causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, and recovery typically takes two or three days.

It's sometimes linked to eating shellfish that has been contaminated by sewage, but is more commonly contracted by swallowing food or water contaminated with stool by an infected person.

Health officials say sick people should stay home -- especially child care and food workers.

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Food Safety In-Sight
Roy E. Costa, R.S., M.S.

In a perfect food safety world, operators of food facilities would place the health of the consumer above all else. Science-based foodborne illness prevention systems would be in place from farm to table and government in partnership with industry would effectively monitor the food supply so unsafe conditions could be detected and quickly corrected. In a perfect world, food safety would be a given. In reality, operators do not adopt food safety systems because of an overarching concern for public health and safety. Think about how and why the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1906 came into being. As a reminder, it came about as a result of Upton Sinclairís book, ìThe Jungleî. Sinclairís novel depicting horrendous sanitary conditions in Chicagoís slaughterhouses galvanized public opinion and forced congress to regulate the food industry. The media is still at work today exposing wrongdoing in the food industry. Since history and our modern experience prove that we cannot depend upon industry to place the good of society above business interests, we enact laws and rules to protect the health, safety and welfare of consumers.

While these laws and rules are well intentioned, they depend for the most part on public agencies for enforcement. When agencies are properly funded and have strong political support they protect the public. When they are weak or lose sight of their mission, the public faces increasing risk. Our current food safety regulatory system is a patchwork of agencies that for the most part have their roots in the earliest days of public health. While some still say the United States enjoys the safest food supply in the world (or ìone of the safestî as our government now says!) our public health infrastructure is deteriorating under the pressure of shifting legislative priorities and dwindling resources. Many health departments are cutting positions, leaving positions vacant, or trying to pass responsibility off to other agencies. While bio-security concerns have refocused the legislative agenda on public health and safety, less and less money is being spent on core public health programs. Many agencies are in serious jeopardy of defaulting on their mission. In Florida, for example, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants has come under attack in the media for failing to meet inspection quotas and failing to enforce basic sanitation and safety laws.

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Study of U.S. Travelers to Mexico and Guatemala Found 65 Percent Prevalence Rate

BALTIMORE, March 8 (AScribe Newswire) -- A majority of traveler's diarrhea cases among U.S. travelers to Mexico and Guatemala were attributed to Norovirus, a common cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks usually associated with developed countries, according to a new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and other institutions. The researchers also found that the longer travelers stayed at their destination, the more likely they were to contract Norovirus infections. The study is published in the March 2005 issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.

"Noroviruses are known to be a major cause of food and waterborne gastroenteritis outbreaks in domestic and unique settings, such as cruise ships, and also have been documented among military groups during deployment overseas. However, few studies have investigated the prevalence of Norovirus infection among civilians traveling from industrialized to developing countries," said Kellogg J. Schwab, PhD, corresponding author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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The Salt Lake Tribune
3/5/05

The Dominican Republic is assuring tourists that Norovirus, the stomach flulike virus affecting much of the Caribbean and cruise ships in the area, is under control in the Dominican Republic.
According to the Commission of Health and Tourism and the Pan-American Health Organization, the first reported case of Norovirus was reported last December but no new cases have been reported since Feb. 11.
The Dominican Republic's Department of Tourism also reports there have been no new cases of malaria since Dec. 5, after an outbreak last fall.

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Thursday, March 03, 2005
NewsTarget.com

The cruise ship industry wants the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to use the words "increased incidences" instead of "outbreak" when describing illnesses on board their ships. Cruise lines are required to report any instance where at least 3% of their passengers fall ill during a cruise. These illnesses are usually caused by noroviruses, which cause diarrhea and vomiting, and ships work hard to prevent the spread of these viruses.

Overview:

A group representing the cruise-ship industry has asked the federal government to change the way it reports onboard illnesses.

The International Council of Cruise Lines has asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to eliminate the word "outbreak" from its health reports, and has suggested replacing it with the term "increased incidences."

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Kathleen Doheny
Healthy Traveler
February 27, 2005

In January alone, five cruise-ship sailings experienced outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses linked to noroviruses, a group that causes acute bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms generally subside in a day or two.

Outbreaks on ships get lots of attention, but the incidence of norovirus illnesses also is rising in other places and among the general population, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reported recent outbreaks in nursing homes, schools and hotels.

Each year, the CDC says, about 23 million people in the United States ó 8% of the population ó contract noroviruses.

Among other ways, it can be transmitted by eating food or drinking liquids infected with the virus, touching infected surfaces or objects and then touching your face, or sharing food with an infected person.

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TRAVEL NOTES: Threat of virus over
Dominican Republic safe, agencies say
February 27, 2005
FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS REPORTS

Visitors to the Dominican Republic are safe, the island nation's health and tourism officials said last week. They acknowledged that norovirus had caused severe stomach flu in hundreds of visitors to three resorts in Puerto Plata, but announced the virus was no longer a threat.

The nation's Commission of Health and Tourism and the Pan-American Health Organization, which had been called in to investigate, said the first cases were in December and the last one reported was Feb. 11.

Norovirus is contagious and can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea that lasts several days. Hundreds of tourists from Michigan, other states and Canada became sick at the virus' peak in early January.

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What Might be Hiding on Board Your Ship?
Feb. 25, 2005

Taking a cruise evokes sun, fun, fine dining, relaxation and romance -- the ingredients of a perfect vacation.

But also lurking on these ships in places you can see -- and places you cannot -- may be a cast of stowaways that could potentially ruin your holiday.

Most notable among them is the norovirus, a nasty bug that can cause a couple of days worth of severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and headaches. The norovirus can spread easily when large groups of people are gathered together in close proximity, places like restaurants, schools, nursing homes, hotels -- and cruise ships.

Last month alone, there were seven norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships.

ABC News' "Primetime Live" sent teams of producers equipped with test tubes, gloves and special lights on four different cruise ships.

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The norovirus (previously called Norwalk-like virusî or NLV) is a member of the family Caliciviridae. The name derives from the Latin for chiliceócalyxómeaning cup-like, and refers to the indentations of the virus surface.

Nature has created an ingenious bug in Norwalk. The round blue ball actually is a protein surrounding the virus's genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of cells lining the intestine. Then it transfers its genetic material into that cell. There it reproduces, finally killing the human cell to release new copies of it that attach to more cells of the intestine's lining.

The family of Caliciviridae consists of several distinct groups of viruses that were first named after the places where outbreaks occurred. The first such outbreak occurred in 1968 among schoolchildren in Norwalk, Ohio. The prototype strain was identified four years later, in 1972, and was the first virus identified that specifically caused gastroenteritis in humans. Id. At S255. Other discoveries followed, with each strain named based on the location of its discovery-location, e.g., Montgomery County, Snow Mountain, Mexico, Hawaii, Parmatta, Taunton, and Toronto viruses. A study published in 1977 found that the Toronto virus was the second most common cause of gastroenteritis in children.

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Source: Public Library Of Science
Date: 2005-02-23
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050218130731.htm

For disease outbreak detection, the public health community has historically relied on the watchful eyes of doctors, who have reported individual cases or clusters of cases of particular diseases to the authorities. But these days, the availability of electronic health-care data should facilitate more automated and earlier outbreak detection and intervention. Besides diagnoses of known diseases, other indicators--such as primary complaints of patients coming to the emergency room or calling a nurse hotline--are being collected in electronic formats and could be analyzed if suitable methods existed.

Martin Kulldorff and colleagues have developed and operated real-time disease surveillance systems based on electronic records. In an article published in the open-access medical journal PLoS Medicine, they now report a new and very flexible approach for early disease outbreak detection.

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Thursday, February 24, 2005
Influenza and Norwalk virus settle in for customary mid-winter visit to the Walla Walla Valley.
By Sheila Hagar of the Union-Bulletin

While local residents delayed getting vaccinated for flu - first through lack of availability, then some from a lack of initiative once flu shots arrived - influenza didn't delay its visit to the Walla Walla Valley.

And the annual favorite, Norwalk virus, is settling in for a stay, too.

Over the past several days, the Walla Walla County Health Department ``has seen a fairly large number of cases' of both, said Harvey Crowder, administrator.

Samples from local flu and norovirus victims have been sent to the state public-health lab for confirmation, he said.

``I wouldn't say it's notable or out-of-control,' Crowder said, but now is the time to follow time-honored advice - ``Mom was right, you need to wash your hands all the time.'

In the case of the norovirus, commonly referred to as the Norwalk virus, the symptoms are immediate and usually severe for about 24 hours. They include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping, sometimes accompanied by a low-grade fever, chills, muscle aches and headaches, topped with a general sense of malaise.

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