GOSHEN – Norovirus, not food poisoning, was the apparent culprit of the mass sickness that affected some 30 people who attended the Orange County emergency services drill earlier this month.
That word comes from the county health department following its testing of stool samples submitted by several of those who were sickened.
In a memo secured by Mid-Hudson News on Tuesday, Jackie Lawler, the director of epidemiology and public health planning, said that norovirus “is very contagious and is the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States.”
The stomach bug is a virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines with symptoms generally developing within 12 to 48 hours after being exposed. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, fever, headache and body aches, she said.
Lawler said norovirus can be spread for two weeks or more after you feel better and she said hand sanitizer alone does not kill it. “The most effective way to prevent the spread of norovirus is washing your heads with soap and water for at least 20 seconds often,” and she said it is “particularly important to do so after using the bathroom, before eating, after touching common surfaces, shaking hands or when caring for people who are dick.”
If you are experiencing symptoms, do not prepare, handle food or care for others until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.”
Lawler said the virus can live on surfaces so it is important to clean well and disinfect them while wearing disposable gloves.
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