Princeton Health Officials Warn About Dangers of Norovirus

The Princeton Health Department suspects norovirus is to blame for a majority of recently reported cases of gastrointestinal illness, the department announced Tuesday night.

Reported cases have lead to increased surveillance of retail food establishments.

The department suspects norovirus is to blame, although laboratory testing has not yet confirmed a specific organism.

Norovirus is very contagious. Symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and vomiting, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

People can become infected with the stomach virus in several ways, including:

* Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated;

* Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus, and then placing their hand in their 
mouth;

* Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, 
when caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).


You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with viruses by following these preventive steps:

* Frequently wash your hands, especially after toilet visits and before eating or preparing food. Hand sanitizers are not effective against most GI causing organisms, including norovirus.

* Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.

* Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap). 
Persons who are infected with a stomach virus should try to minimize their contact with others while they are ill and should not prepare food during their illness. Food that may have been contaminated by an ill person should be disposed of properly.


For more information on norovirus visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 
http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/

The announcement comes shortly after reports that a restaurant worker in Hamilton Township was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis A, and that anyone who visited Rosa’s Restaurant and Catering since Nov. 10 is at risk of developing the disease.