GI Illness Outbreak in Monmouth County

Monmouth County, NJ - Monmouth County has seen an increase in cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses in the past week, the county health department announced Thursday.

“Right now we are trying to determine exactly what it is,” Laura Kirkpatrick, a spokeswoman for Monmouth County’s office of public information, told Patch.

Lab testing is going on now to determine the specific illness. She said she was not able to disclose where, and in what towns, the illnesses have been reported.

The symptoms include abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting lasting twenty four to forty eight hours, the health department said.

Anyone who has symptoms should stay home for 24 hours after symptoms have stopped to avoid spreading the virus to others. People involved in a food handling occupation should stay home 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

“The best way to protect yourself from GI illness is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness,” said Christopher Merkel, Monmouth County Public Health Coordinator. “Contrary to popular opinion, hand sanitizers are not effective in protecting you from this type of illness. Soap and water is the best and most effective way to reduce the likelihood you will get a GI illness.”