Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: April 3, 2006
CONTACT: Maria Wah-Fitta, 401-222-3998

HEALTH Confirms Norovirus in Northern RI Gastrointestinal Outbreak

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory has confirmed that Norovirus is the cause of the reported cases of gastrointestinal illness among people who attended a Father & Daughter Dance sponsored by the Cumberland Hill Elementary School on Friday March 31 2006.

Symptoms of the reported illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low-grade fever.

Norovirus is very contagious when people come in contact with vomit or feces of an infected person. To prevent the spread of Norovirus into the community, it is especially important that people with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea stay out of work if they are employed at child-care facilities, restaurants or other food-service establishments, or health-care settings. People should stay out of work for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.

People who are ill should drink lots of fluids, get rest, and wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and running water, especially

• after using the restroom, changing diapers or cleaning up vomit
• after assisting someone to use the restroom
• after assisting someone who is ill
• before preparing food or eating

If a member of your household is ill with the symptoms above, HEALTH recommends the following steps to sanitize any contaminated areas:

• Frequently wash and wipe down the toilet area, faucets and similar hard surfaces with a mixture of one tablespoon of household bleach to three cups of water.
• If cleaning up vomit or stool, use two tablespoons of bleach to one cup of water.
• Use disposable gloves and disposable paper towels.
• Launder contaminated bed linens and towels, clothing, etc separately in hot water.
• Do not share food, dishes, glassware, silverware, napkins, towels, etc.

For more information on Norovirus go to the HEALTH Website at http://www.health.ri.gov/disease/communicable/norovirusfactsheet.php, or to the CDC Website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_norwalk.htm