18 January 2014 (10:24 UTC-07 Tango)/16 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/28 Dey 1392/18 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711
Ontario, Canada: The Sudbury and District Health Unit warned of increasing cases of Norwalk virus at day care centers.
United Kingdom: Multiple hospitals have wards closed due to vomiting bug. They include Warwick (strange because on the same day there was a report saying restrictions had been lifted), Borders General Hospital, Dumfries Infirmary.
California, U.S.A.: Baywood Court Retirement Community reports an outbreak of severe gastrointestinal illness. People are being told to stay in their rooms. The dining hall is closed.
Florida, U.S.A: A Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked with at least 68 sick passengers and crew.
Louisiana, U.S.A.: The U.S. FDA is warning that oysters from Copano Bay are giving people norovirus. Remember the BP oil spill?
Oregon, U.S.A.: Rock Creek Elementary shut down after 100 kids and several staff got sick. Washington County Department of Health and Human Services suspects norovirus. One parent lamented “I had them wash their hands. I don’t know of any realistic precautions you can take.”-Molly Brown
Virginia, U.S.A.: Saint Francis Medical Center reports that at least 32 employees are sick. There are no reports that patients are sick, hospital officials blamed children without any proof. The hospital is now using a ultra-violet light robot to sanitize rooms.
More and more studies concerning autism are making connections to gastrointestinal problems. One study said 43% of their autistic subjects had GI problems. Researchers also made GI connections to families that have a history of anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders.
Germany’s Haribo sugarless gummy bears are making people sick, at least that’s what self proclaimed victims are reporting on Amazon’s Customer Review page. People are reporting gastrointestinal problems after eating just a handful of the bears. One man admitted he ate one pound worth in one sitting, then suffered “Gastrointestinal Armageddon”. Anybody remember those fat free cookies and chips, that acted like intense laxatives if you ate just a handful? Stay away from junk food that’s made with fake sugar, or fat substitutes.
The U.S. CDC says norovirus accounts for as many as 800 deaths in the United States, every year.
Norovirus (aka Norwalk Virus), is a surface contact bug, meaning you pick it up by touching or eating it. It is not influenza and there is still no vaccine for fast evolving RNA norovirus. The only ‘treatment’ is to keep the sick person hydrated.
Exotic anti-biotic soaps can’t kill norovirus, or any other virus for that matter, because anti-biotics are only for bacteria. Despite that, even hand ‘sanitizers’ made with alcohol can’t totally get rid of norovirus. Guess what apparently works? According to the U.S. CDC old fashioned hand soap is best. Consumer Reports says to leave the soap on your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Also, in public restrooms use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door, do not touch surfaces with your bare hands after washing them.
Wash household surfaces with bleach.
The worse thing is that you can be infected and not have any symptoms. An infected person can spread norovirus, yet not feel sick themselves. If you think you might be infected do not cook food for other people. People recovering from traditional symptoms of norovirus can continue spreading the bug for days after feeling better (some reports say weeks).