Norovirus outbreak plagues 2018 Winter Olympics

The 2018 Winter Olympic games have been going on as planned but what wasn’t planned was an untimely event causing dozens to get sick – an outbreak of norovirus.  What started on February 3 among a group of security guards staying at the youth training center in Pyeongchang, has spread with at least 177 confirmed cases in South Korea.  As a precaution, organizers of the winter games have quarantined at least 1,200 Olympic staffers.  So far, no athletes have been infected. 

What is norovirus?

Often referred to as the “stomach flu or stomach bug,” norovirus is a vomit-inducing, diarrhea-causing, extremely contagious virus to contract.  With norovirus, you may go to bed the night before feeling slightly unwell but not bad enough to be too concerned.  But the next morning – watch out.  You feel sicker than a dog running to the bathroom not sure which end of you should greet the toilet first. It’s a good possibility you have norovirus, a leading cause of disease outbreaks from contaminated food in the U.S.

Up to 20 million people each year come down with norovirus.  It is a very contagious virus all of us are susceptible to.  It is also infamously associated as the “cruise ship virus” but in reality, these outbreaks account for only about 1% of all reported norovirus illness.  If you are around anyone who is infected, or have eaten contaminated food or water or have touched a surface contaminated with the virus, you are vulnerable to being exposed and experiencing the norovirus wrath.

Transmission of norovirus

Norovirus is easily transmitted making it a virus a person can have multiple times throughout their life.  There are many types of norovirus so being infected with one type of norovirus does not necessarily protect you from another type. 

There are several modes of transmission of norovirus that can be easily spread from one person to another:

·      Anyone providing care for someone already sick with norovirus.  A person with norovirus is most contagious when sick with vomiting and diarrhea but can infect others before symptoms start and even after they feel better. 

·      Changing a baby’s diaper

·      Shaking hands with someone infected with norovirus

·      Touching a contaminated surface – it can stay on countertops and serving utensils for up to 2 weeks

·      Touching your mouth if there are droplets of norovirus on your hands

·      Not washing your hands thoroughly before handling food or after using the restroom

The main source of contamination is from food that has been infected with the virus.  Outbreaks often begin in food service settings such as restaurants.  Food service workers are frequently the source of the outbreak touching foods with bare hands before washing them.  Raw foods such as oysters are another common source since they have not been heated to a high enough temperature to kill the virus. 

A person who has the virus will shed billions of tiny viral particles in their stool and vomit.  Just a tiny fraction – as few as 18 particles – is all it takes to make another person sick.  Up to 1,000 people can be infected with norovirus from the amount of virus particles that can fit on the head of a pin.  That is why eating foods or touching your mouth contaminated with norovirus can so easily spread this virus. 

Symptoms of norovirus

A person who has norovirus will feel very ill for several days as the virus causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines leading to various symptoms which include:

·      Diarrhea

·      Vomiting

·      Nausea

·      Stomach pain or cramping

·      Possible fever

·      Headache

·      Body aches

After exposure to norovirus, symptoms usually develop within 12 to 48 hours.  Most people will have multiple episodes of both vomiting and diarrhea each day.

Treatment of norovirus

Since norovirus is a virus, there is no specific medication or antibiotic to treat it.  It will have to run its course over the next few days.  Dehydration is the main concern that most often lands people in the hospital if they are not kept adequately hydrated.  Anytime someone is throwing up, has diarrhea or has a fever, it is critical to replace fluids lost to prevent dehydration.

There can be a combination of several fluids to help prevent dehydration from sports drinks, juices, clear soft drinks, or oral rehydration fluids available over the counter.  Dehydration is a serious problem particularly for infants, small children and the elderly.  It may require hospitalization for treatment with fluids given intravenously or through a vein if a person is unable to hold down fluids.  If anyone is showing signs of severe dehydration, call your physician immediately.

Preventing norovirus

Since norovirus is so easily transmissible, the key is to prevent it from being spread to begin with. Fortunately, there are several things one can do to prevent its transmission but it must be done on a consistent, regular basis to keep the possibility to a bare minimum.

Here are some ways to help slow down the spread of norovirus:

·      Every single time after using the restroom, changing a baby’s diaper or before handling food, always wash your hands.  For at least 20 seconds, wash them with soap and water to remove any possible virus particles.   Norovirus can stay in your stool for 2 weeks or more even after you feel better.

·      Avoid touching your mouth as this is a point of contact and how you become infected with the virus.

·      Use a bleach-based cleaner or other approved product to disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched.

·      If caring for someone with norovirus immediately remove and wash clothes that may be contaminated with vomit or stool.  Thoroughly tumble dry.

·      Use a gown and gloves when touching or caring for anyone with norovirus to reduce exposure to vomit or fecal matter.  Changes gloves every time.

·      If you become sick with norovirus, stay home.  Even after symptoms are gone, you should not prepare food for others for at least 2 days. 

·      Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them. 

·      Norovirus can be killed when food is cooked to at least 140 degrees.