Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak at Local Schools, Long Term Care Facility in Wasco County
A gastrointestinal (GI) illness outbreak in The Dalles that causes vomiting and diarrhea has led to 100 absences at several local elementary schools, and 22 cases at a local long term care facility.
The best protection against the highly contagious illness, suspected to be norovirus, is careful hand washing, said Sirisha Botta, communicable disease investigator at North Central Public Health District.
Cases have started slowing down by Tuesday and today (Wednesday), Botta said. It is the height of norovirus season, according to the CDC, and cases nationally are at a 12-month high.
While these are suspected cases of norovirus, only two are confirmed locally. It takes a laboratory sample to confirm norovirus, Botta said, and that is not often done. Norovirus symptoms usually resolve in three days, but you are contagious for several days after you recover.
Illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea can be dangerous for the elderly and young due to dehydration. Drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid loss.
You can get sick by having direct contact with an infected person, eating contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your unwashed hand in your mouth.
It is key to note that hand sanitizer does not work well against GI illnesses. Washing thoroughly with soap and water is key and should be done
After using the toilet or changing diapers
Before eating, preparing or handling food
And before giving yourself or someone medicine.
People who are sick should not prepare or handle food. Safe food preparation includes
Carefully washing fruits and vegetables
Cooking oysters and other shellfish thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees.
For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html
(For more information, please contact North Central Public Health District at (541) 506-2600, visit us on the web at www.ncphd.org or find us on Facebook.)
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