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County health officials work with Red Cross, Konocti Unified to control norovirus outbreak at Lower Lake evacuation shelter
Norovirus is a very common cause of stomach flu. It is highly contagious and can spread quickly in settings where people come in close contact with each other, such as an evacuation shelter.
Norovirus causes irritation of the stomach and intestines. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramps.
While most people with norovirus do not need medical care and get better within one to three days, the virus can make a person feel extremely ill with vomiting and diarrhea many times a day.
The best way to stop the spread of norovirus is to avoid coming into contact with bodily fluids of sick people.
Proper hand washing and cleaning of surfaces that might be contaminated are essential. Infected people should avoid caring for or preparing food for other people until at least 48 hours after symptoms have ended.
Surfaces and objects in contact with vomit or diarrhea should be washed with soap and hot water, and disinfected with a bleach solution or washed in a washing machine with detergent. Wear gloves and wash hands carefully after any contact with contaminated objects.
County public health officials reported that the actions taken at the Lower Lake Shelter to prevent the spread of norovirus including grouping people with symptoms away from people without symptoms and providing them with separate bathroom facilities.
People recovering from illness are being kept separate from people without symptoms, including being fed away from those who do not appear to be ill, officials said.
In addition, the county reported that signs have been posted asking people to wash hands frequently, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
The county said an outside company is being contracted for additional environmental cleaning and disinfection.
Additional handwashing stations have been set up next to the restrooms and food lines, officials said.
For more information on norovirus, please visit the CDPH or the CDC Web sites.