Norovirus
What is it?
Norovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that causes gastroenteritis, a stomach, and intestinal disease. Norovirus infections are highly contagious and are a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. Norovirus outbreaks can occur any time of the year, although more common during winter.
What are the symptoms?
Norovirus infection can begin suddenly and cause the following signs and symptoms
Nausea
Vomiting
Cramping or pain in the stomach
Loose or watery diarrhoea
Feeling unwell
Fever
Muscle aches and pains
Signs and symptoms usually appear between 12 and 48 hours after the first exposure to the virus, typically lasting between 1 and 3 days.
Transmission
Norovirus is highly contagious and may spread through
Direct contact with the vomit or faeces of an infected person
Close contact with infected people
Touching contaminated objects or surfaces
Eating contaminated food or drink
Poor hand hygiene
Diagnosis
The Doctor may order a faecal sample and blood tests to be sent to the pathology lab. A rapid stool test can identify rotavirus and norovirus.
Outbreak definition
An outbreak of norovirus is where two or more people, residents or employees, become ill with vomiting or diarrhoea within 24 hours of each other. An outbreak needs to be reported to the public health unit.
Commence a spreadsheet detailing the following
Names of the residents and employees who have symptoms
Date of onset of symptoms
Type of symptoms
When symptoms resolve