25 February 2014 (01:19 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1435/06 Esfand 1392/26 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712
China: In Zhejiang Province, at least 511 students in elementary and junior high schools were sicked by norovirus infected bottled water. The company that supplied the water is being investigated.
New Zealand: The government is allowing pharmacists to treat children with gastroenteritis, in a bid to keep those sick kids out of the hospital. So far the Paediatric Gastroenteritis Service program run by the MidCentral District Health Board has treated 91 children.
Florida, U.S.A: The U.S. CDC investigating yet another cruise ship outbreak, this time on a Holland America ship. 124 passengers and crew were sick.
Iowa, U.S.A.: In Cedar Falls, at least 90 people sick at a nursing home. Also, the Ames Public Library was closed for two days after 30 employees were confirmed to have gotten sick by norovirus.
Ohio, U.S.A.: Hamilton County health officials were notified of an outbreak at a nursing home. At least 28 people sick.
Tennessee, U.S.A.: Shelby County Health Department confirming 100 cases of norovirus in five separate outbreaks.
The first norovirus case occurred in 1968 in Norwalk, Ohio U.S.A. This is why it is sometimes called the Norwalk virus. However, the 1968 outbreak was not confirmed until 1972, when researchers were finally able to identify the virus. Ever since then, year after year, there are more and more cases, and stronger and stronger versions of the virus.
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).