Norovirus | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Norovirus(es) are a group of viruses that are very contagious and cause stomach illness.

Norovirus is spread by eating or coming into contact with food or surfaces contaminated by fecal matter (poop) or vomit from a person who is infected and is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness outbreaks.

Norovirus is also called gastroenteritis or the “stomach flu.” Despite this common name, it is different from the flu and is not related to influenza viruses.

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Help prevent the spread of norovirus:

Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water often:
- After using the toilet or changing diapers
- Before taking or giving someone else medicine
- Before cooking and eating food

Before cooking and eating food:
- Wash fruits and vegetables well
- Cook shellfish to an internal temperature of 145ºF or higher
- Clean and sanitize all kitchen surfaces, counters, cutting boards, and utensils
- Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods at all times: in the grocery cart, in the refrigerator, and on cutting boards.

Help keep others from getting sick:

Norovirus can remain on surfaces and make others sick, and it can't be killed by alcohol-based cleaners or disinfectants.

For cleaning surfaces:

Wear rubber or disposable gloves and use disposable paper towels when cleaning up poop or vomit
Use bleach-based cleaners, a bleach-water mix of 5-25 tablespoons of bleach per 1 gallon of water, or an EPA Registered Antimicrobial Product Effective Against Norovirus
Let the cleaning solution sit on the surface for 5 minutes before cleaning the whole area with soap and water
Wash your hands well with soap and water. Hand sanitizer doesn't work against norovirus.

For soiled clothes or blankets:

Wear gloves
Avoid shaking the items
Wash and dry items on the longest cycles and highest heat settings
Wash your hands well with soap and water. Hand sanitizer doesn't work against norovirus.

Additional Resources