Norovirus on NC State campus?

There’s for sure some norovirus in the Jaykus/NoroCORE lab, but NC State Student Health Center has a message on their website suggesting that there may be be some community illnesses as well. It’s even got it’s own Twitter handle, @WolfPackNoro.
The stomach bug or stomach flu (norovirus -ben), is on campus.
 
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping, fever and / or headache. 10849902_719581291471357_3442145704847569295_n1-300x300
 
If you are experiencing these symptoms call 919-515-7107. 
 
The virus is spread by touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching your mouth, eating contaminated foods or drinks, and direct contact with stool or vomit while caring for a sick person. If you become sick, take care of yourself with:
 
▪Medications. This may include fever reducing, anti-nausea, and/or anti-diarrhea medicines.
▪Oral Rehydration. Sip only clear non caffeinated liquids, such as ginger ale, water, ice chips, sport drinks, broth soups.
▪Diet. Once liquids are tolerated eat a bland diet.  This would include crackers, noodles, rice, and toast, and limit dairy.  Advance your diet as tolerated.
▪IV Fluids, as needed. Prevention is key to staying well.  
 
Washing hands is the most important thing to do to prevent getting or spreading the infection.  Also, decontaminate surfaces and objects, such a computer keyboards, door handles, and steering wheels.
 
I’d add that alcohol-based hand sanitizer, a favorite tool in outbreaks, isn’t effective against human norovirus unless it’s (VF481) and to decontaminate with chlorine-based compounds (quaternary ammonia sanitizers also aren’t all that effective against noro.
Here are some infosheets about the virus.
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About Ben Chapman

Dr. Ben Chapman is a professor and food safety extension specialist at North Carolina State University. As a teenager, a Saturday afternoon viewing of the classic cable movie, Outbreak, sparked his interest in pathogens and public health. With the goal of less foodborne illness, his group designs, implements, and evaluates food safety strategies, messages, and media from farm-to-fork. Through reality-based research, Chapman investigates behaviors and creates interventions aimed at amateur and professional food handlers, managers, and organizational decision-makers; the gate keepers of safe food. Ben co-hosts a biweekly podcast called Food Safety Talk and tries to further engage folks online through Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and, maybe not surprisingly, Pinterest. Follow on Twitter @benjaminchapman.