Monday, January 28, 2013
As flu season wanes, a new "super bug" from Australia takes the spotlight. Here are some ways to protect yourself from norovirus, and how to recognize the illness.
A new strain of the highly contagious norovirus has reached the U.S. from Australia. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the new norovirus, named GII.4 Sydney because it's believed to have started in Sydney, Australia, is the leading cause of norovirus outbreaks in the U.S. The U.S. has seen more than 140 outbreaks caused by the new Sydney strain of norovirus since September, the Huffington Post reports. Last year around this time, a norvirus outbreak hit Iowa, spreading to several Iowa counties including waves of the disease hitting Black Hawk County. The Norovirus infections are up this year in Iowa, partially due to this new strain, KCCI reports. A new strain of the norovirus is quickly spreading this …
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Here's what you need to know about the norovirus, which continues to spread across Iowa.
Confirmed cases of norovirus have been reported in Polk, Johnson, Scott, Dubuque, Black Hawk, and Winneshiek Counties, KWWL reported Thursday. Norovirus is not deadly, but it is unpleasant and highly contagious. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramping. The illness is usually brief, lasting one to two days, but individuals may remain contagious until three days after recovery. The Iowa Department of Public Health announced reports of norovirus activity have been increasing in recent weeks, after an earlier outbreak was reported across the state in December. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports: Norovirus can spread quickly from person-to-person, especially in crowded, closed places like schools, hotels and …
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
If you have been experiencing vomiting, an upset stomach and diarrhea, it may be due to the norovirus.
Eight medium to large outbreaks of norovirus have been reported in five Iowa counties, including Linn and Polk counties. First off, don't freak out. Sometimes it seems like the news is trying to scare you when they say an exotic sounding illness has moved to your neighborhood, but don't be scared. Norovirus is not deadly. Ann Garbey, Deputy State Epidemiologist with the Iowa Department of Public Health, said it will, however, leave you feeling bad. "It makes people pretty miserable for a couple days," Garbey told Patch in a phone interview. She would know, too. Beyond being her job, she said her daughter caught it last week, so she has seen the misery first hand. Her daughter's illness, along with anecdotal reports all across the state …
Julie Kramer Gowans
8:57 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
And keep your kids home from school! Thanks! more ›