Five Ways You Can Prevent the Spread of Norovirus During Winter Months

Several norovirus outbreaks have hit schools in New England in the past few months.

These outbreaks have lead to schools closing and dozens of students calling in sick.

Norovirus causes people to become sick with vomiting, diarrhea, cramping and nausea. Other symptoms include a fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.

Just last week, more than 60 students at Hampstead Central School in Hampstead, NH, were sickened with the virus.

About 30 students were absent from the school last Friday and another 30 were absent on Monday, WMUR-TV reported.

Another 30 students at Hampstead Middle School called in sick and some teachers fell ill with the virus as well, according to WMUR-TV.

Norovirus spreads quickly in contained spaces and can sicken hundreds of people at a time.

For instance, a Massachusetts middle school closed down earlier this month due to a norovirus outbreak.

More than 200 North Andover Middle School students showed norovirus symptoms, according to town and school officials.

The school underwent a thorough cleaning per the guidelines of the Centers of Disease Control and all surfaces were disinfected, according to the superintendent.

The CDC says the virus is most common in colder months from November to April.

In early November, about 140 students and 10 staff members at Condon Elementary School in South Boston became sick with the norovirus, 7NEWS - WHDH reported.

The school was visited by the health commission and extra custodial staff was brought in to clean the school according to 7NEWS - WHDH.

Norovirus is responsible for 19 to 21 million illnesses, 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths each year, according to the CDC.

Here are some tips from the CDC to protect yourself and other from becoming infected:

• Practice proper hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water before preparing food and after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
• Carefully rinse fruits and vegetables and cook shellfish thoroughly before eating.
• Do not prepare food while infected with the virus.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
• Wash laundry thoroughly

Find out more information on the Norovirus on the CDC Norovirus Prevention page.

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