Gastrointestinal illnesses
Norovirus (also called Norwalk virus) is a highly contagious stomach illness. It spreads very easily in homes, schools, workplaces and health care settings.
Symptoms
Norovirus causes:
- Upset stomach and nausea
- Vomiting (often sudden onset)
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Low-grade fever
- Chills
Duration: Symptoms typically last 24 to 72 hours
How it spreads
- Person-to-person contact - Through direct contact with infected individuals
- Contaminated surfaces - Touching surfaces with virus, then touching your mouth
- Contaminated food or water - Eating food handled by infected person
- Airborne particles - From vomit or flushing toilets
Stay home 48 hours after symptoms stop
You're still contagious for 48 hours after your symptoms stop. Don't return to work, school or child care until this time has passed to prevent spreading the virus to others.
This is especially critical for:
- Health care workers
- Food handlers and food service workers
- Child care workers
- Anyone who prepares food for others
A health care worker, food handler or child care worker should be excluded from work until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped in the event of an outbreak.
How to prevent norovirus
Use these tips to help prevent the spread of norovirus.
Hand hygiene
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Hand sanitizer alone is NOT enough for norovirus.
Always wash hands:
- After using the washroom
- Before preparing and eating food
- After changing diapers
- After cleaning up vomit or diarrhea
Soap over sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used in addition to handwashing, but should not substitute for soap and water.
If using hand sanitizer, ensure it contains 70-90 per cent alcohol content. Norovirus is resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers—soap and water are essential.
Keep sick children home
If your child is sick with norovirus, keep them home from daycare or school and reduce contact with other children.
Don't allow ill children and infants in diapers in areas where food is prepared. Ensure children wash their hands thoroughly, especially if they're experiencing diarrhea.
Food safety
People infected with norovirus should not prepare food while having symptoms AND for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
Sanitize all surfaces after preparing food and after an illness with a chlorine bleach solution.
Clean surfaces
Keep washroom facilities clean at all times. Clean and disinfect bathroom surfaces, door handles and high-touch areas regularly with bleach-based cleaner (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
If possible, avoid sharing a washroom with an infected person.
Limit visitors
Discourage visitors until everyone is better and the house has been cleaned and disinfected. This helps prevent spreading the virus to others in the community.
Wait until 48 hours after symptoms stop before having guests over.
Public Health monitoring
Norovirus is not a reportable disease to Public Health, but the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses are monitored throughout the region on an ongoing basis.
If you notice multiple people becoming sick with stomach illness in your workplace, school or facility, consider notifying Public Health for guidance on outbreak management.
How to clean up diarrhea and vomit safely
Proper cleanup is critical to prevent spreading norovirus. Follow these steps carefully to protect yourself and others.
- Protect yourself - Wear disposable gloves. Clean hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing gloves.
- Remove excess materials - Use paper towel to soak up extra liquid. Dispose of paper towel immediately in a plastic garbage bag.
- Disinfect the area - Disinfect entire surface area with a chlorine bleach based cleaner (one part bleach to 10 parts water). Let it sit for several minutes.
- Handle soiled items - Immediately remove and wash or discard clothes and linens that are soiled. Wash with detergent at maximum cycle and machine dry.