Tag Archives: norovirus

Norovirus / Gastroenteritis: More deaths! Military veterans hit! U.S. judge says ‘stop blaming cruise ship passengers’! Scientist who discovered virus dies!

10 March 2014 (21:52 UTC-07 Tango 09 March 2014)/08 Jumada l-Ula 1435/19 Esfand 1392/10 Ding-Mao 4712

Australia:  In Victoria State, people are being warned of rising  gastroenteritis cases.  The majority are being blamed on eggs contaminated with salmonella.  In the past 20 years salmonella cases have increased 80% in the Land Down Under!  Campylobactera is up 20%.  Overall food related gastroenteritis cases up 75% from 2001 to 2011!  So much for advanced health care and food production systems.

Canada: In Nanaimo, British Columbia, reports that one hospital and at least six old folks homes hit with norovirus.  In Burlington, Ontario, a retirement home hit with norovirus.  Six people died, but officials don’t think norovirus was the direct cause: “The deaths were reported. We don’t have the cause of death. They all had underlying illnesses.”-Dimitra Kasimos, Halton Region Health Department

European Union:  A study confirms what I reported more than a  year ago; frozen strawberries contained norovirus!  Those strawberries came from China and hit Germany hard in the gut.  Read the Eurosurveillance report here.  In United Kingdom, P&O’s Oriana cruise ship is reported to have suffered a norovirus outbreak.  At least 57 passengers sick. Wards at three hospitals in Gloucestershire have been closed to visitors. These are the second outbreaks in the past month for two of those hospitals.  In Spain, health officials are calling for mass vaccinations against some of the causes of gastroenteritis.  This comes as Finnish scientist warn of rotavirus outbreaks.  There is no vaccine for norovirus.

Guyana: The people of Barima-Waini continue to deal with outbreaks of gastroenteritis.  It’s being blamed on the E coli bacteria.

Pakistan: Army health workers have reached the village of Mithi in Tharparkar District.  A long drought is being blamed on cases of gastroenteritis in the children.  Unfortunately 137 people have died in Tharparkar District, mostly children.

Florida U.S.A.:  The Department of Health Lee County reporting a nursing home hit by norovirus.  59 cases, the first for the county this year.

Georgia U.S.A.: 110 students sick at Cartersville High School.  Cartersville Elementary School also seeing increased student absences.

Massachusetts U.S.A.:  Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital officials reveal they’ve been dealing with a gastrointestinal outbreak for the past six days! At least 22 patients and three employees sick.

Minnesota U.S.A.:  130 kids sick over a three day period at Glyndon-Felton Elementary.  Other schools in the district reported absences as well.

Missouri U.S.A.: Half the Saint Charles Chill hockey team out sick, after eating at a charity event.

Nebraska U.S.A.:  The Department of Health and Human Services reports widespread cases of tummy bug.  Health officials are suggesting people go on the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).

New Jersey U.S.A.:  Princeton University reports an outbreak of gastroenteritis.  So far 65 students sick.

New York U.S.A.: A state supreme court judge, Thomas A. Dickerson, has written a long critic of hotels, cruise ships and other locations that see increased infections.  He concludes that the customers/passengers can not be blamed for the outbreaks, but cleaning standards by service industries are too lax. He cites many reports.

North Carolina U.S.A.:  143 students at Isaac Dickson Elementary School out sick, for at least two days!  Other schools in the district are on alert.  Mecklenburg County reports that at least six long term care facilities have been hit with outbreaks.

Ohio U.S.A.: The Hamilton County Public Health Department reports at least 62 people sick at a long term care facility.  Two people hospitalized.

Oregon U.S.A.: 125 veterans and 25 VA employees sick at the White City Veterans Affairs rehab center.  Police were called in to warn people as they entered the facility.

Texas U.S.A.: The Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department reports at least 12 outbreaks at long term care facilities.  The Bell County Health District reports increased ER visits due to norovirus, and at least three outbreaks at long term facilities.

Albert Z. Kapikian, the National Institutes of Health virologist who discovered norovirus in 1972, died on 24 February 2014.

Norovirus: 511 children made sick by bottled water!

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).

Norovirus, Gastroenteritis: Idaho college shuts down! Nursing homes hit hard! Desperate cruise ships drop their prices! Restaurant gets hit twice in two weeks! Oregano is the cure?

19 February 2014 (19:51 UTC-07 Tango 18 February 2014)/18 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1435/30 Bahman 1392/20 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

Canada: In Ontario, the Brucelea Haven long term care home was hit with a gastroenteritis outbreak.  At least 144 people sick.  Officials say things are now “under control”.  The Sudbury District Health Unit reporting incrased outbreaks in daycare centers.

China: In Hong Kong, a confirmed norovirus outbreak reported on Lantau Island.  At least 27 people sick.  In Henan, a giant panda died of unknown gastroenteritis, at the Zhengzhou Zoo.  The public is suspicious because zoo officials originally denied the panda had died, saying she had been sent to mate.  People are demanding an investigation.

India: In the state of Orissa, three infants have died, and more than 50 children sick from an unknown gastroenteritis outbreak.  Health officials believe the water supply for two villages is the source.  The UN’s World Health organization reports that in 2008, 98-thousand children died from gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus.

European Union: In Spain, health officials are warning of increased gastroenteritis outbreaks. Hospitals are averaging two cases per day.  Officials are blaming climate change for causing food to degrade faster than normal.  They are advising people to avoid street food vendors.  In United Kingdom, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust closed the Alexandra Hospital to visitation due to norovirus outbreak.  Visitation is also restricted at the Worcestershire Royal and Kidderminster Treatment Centre.  New Cross Hospital restricting visitation due to an outbreaks in the women’s respiratory medical ward, the general medical ward and in the cardiology ward.  The Arrowe Park Hospital closed for new admissions. Stafford Hospital restricted visitation to their trauma and orthopaedic wards.

New Zealand: Public Health investigating an outbreak at the Waimea College.  At least 30 employees sick. The cause of the gastroenteritis is not known.

United States of America: Royal Caribbean has reportedly dropped their prices for Bahamas cruises to $32 USD per night.  This is due to crashing sales caused by repeated gastroenteritis outbreaks.

California, U.S.A.: In Santa Barbara, a nursing home dealing with an outbreak.  It was not made public, I found out because I have relatives in the nursing home.

Idaho, U.S.A.: In Ada County, the College of Western Idaho shutdown!  Their Black Eagle Business Park campus was actually evacuated!  In Kootenai County, 90 people got sick and one was hospitalized after outbreaks hit two nursing homes.

Michigan, U.S.A.: For some reason officials with the Rochester Community Schools tried to keep quite an outbreak at the Long Meadow Elementary school.

Nebraska, U.S.A.: Department of Health and Human Services revealing that dozens of nursing/assisted living homes are dealing with outbreaks.  DHHS officials suspect it’s being spread by visitors to the nursing homes.  (they don’t really know how it gets around, folks)

New York, U.S.A.: For the first time in 145 years, the Mohonk Mountain House shutdown due to confirmed norovirus outbreak.  At least 200 hotel customers and employees got sick.  Some customers are now suing.

Oregon, U.S.A.: In Bend, a gastroenteritis outbreak at the evil Deschutes County Jail.  At least 28 prisoners sick.

Texas, U.S.A.: In Sherman, the owners of a Mexican food restaurant say they voluntarily shutdown after six employees got sick.  However, the Grayson County Health Department says they are investigating reports that 40 people got sick after eating at the restaurant.

Washington, U.S.A.: In Seattle, a nursing home reporting an outbreak.  48 people got sick, and some were sent to the hospital.  This is the second time the nursing home was hit with a gastroenteritis outbreak.  In Bellingham, an Applebee’s restaurant was shutdown due to an outbreak.  The Whatcom County Health Department reported at least 56 customer complaints. This is the second outbreak at the same restaurant.  The first outbreak involved 15 employees back on 06-07 February.

The Journal of Applied Microbiology published a study by University of Arizona researchers, which says oils from the oregano herb (called carvacrol) can break down the outer layers of norovirus.

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).

Norovirus: Putting the Fast in your Fast Food? Japanese hotels hit hard! No standardized reporting in U.S.! Stay away from hospitals!

02 January 2014 (01:09 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Safar 1435/12 Dey 1392/02 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

California, U.S.A.: In Walnut Creek, a Rehab center is the center of a tummy bug outbreak. At least 30 staff and patients have been sickened. Public health officials say the rehabilitation center took quick action, including notifying local government officials.

Connecticut, U.S.A.: Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford reporting an uptick in cases.  Doctors indicated the problem is that people are confusing the symptoms with influenza.  Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea for several days.  This is not caused by influenza.

Florida, U.S.A.: The Royal Caribbean ship Oasis of the Seas reported an outbreak of gastroenteritis. They did not indicate how many passengers were sick.

Iowa, U.S.A.: Several grade schools have been warning parents of norovirus cases.

Kansas, U.S.A.: The state Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Lodging is investigating Jimmy John’s sandwich delivery/restaurant for spreading norovirus.  At least 110 people are sick.  State officials say employees of Jimmy John’s are helping with state investigators. This case follows an Ecoli case in Colorado, which was traced back to a Denver Jimmy John’s, back in November 2013.

Michigan, U.S.A.:  Doctors in Genesee County are reporting upticks in tummy bug cases.  Doctors pointed out there is no vaccine for norovirus, but they erroneously told infected people to wash their hands without specifying what they should wash their hands with. (it makes a big difference, see below)

Missouri, U.S.A.: Doctors at Barnes-Jewish Hospital warning of increasing stomach bug cases.

Nevada, U.S.A.: Back in December at least five Las Vegas High Schools had to be scrubbed because of suspected norovirus outbreaks: “Your child’s school conducted extra cleaning today following a report that recent visitors to campus contracted the norovirus while visiting Las Vegas. While the source of the norovirus is not known, we wanted to be proactive and take extra efforts to sanitize our facilities.”-automated robo-call sent to parents

North Carolina, U.S.A.: Health and Human Service’s Department warning that the version of norovirus (aka Norwalk virus, Caliciviridae, viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu, tummy bug, vomiting bug) spreading in their state is GII.4 Sydney.  In the past, main streamer TV news have reported that a small fraction of people who get sick will die, but in recent years the number of people who die from norovirus have shot up.

South Carolina, U.S.A.: Despite warnings from North Carolina, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control doesn’t expect norovirus cases to skyrocket this winter.  That’s because, so far, local health care centers are not reporting any number of cases that are considered above ‘normal’ for winter.

Wisconsin, U.S.A.: Madison and Dane County officials reporting “sporadic” cases. Epidemiologist Amanda Kita-Yarbro explained that there is no U.S. regulation requiring the public tracking or notification of norovirus cases, so the actual number of cases is probably higher than we think!

Ireland: The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is pushing for mandatory oral rotavirus vaccine for infants. Rotavirus also causes gastroenteritis.  Keep in mind this panel of ‘experts’ are also pushing to vaccinate homosexual men against the HPV, which is considered a cause of cervical cancer in women!

Tochigi Prefecture, Japan:  118 people sickened at the Kinugawa Gyoen Hotel in Nikko City.  Health officials say that besides the 118 people sickened, eleven hotel kitchen personnel were found to have norovirus in their bodies.  You can carry norovirus without knowing it.  Apparently the hotel customers got sick directly from the kitchen personnel, because investigations found that it didn’t matter what type of food the customers ate.

England, United Kingdom:  Weston General Hospital reporting a suspected outbreak of vomiting bug.  Visitation is restricted, because of a “high number of cases”.   Several hospitals restricted visitation in Hampshire County, due to outbreaks.  And in Lancaster, ward 34 at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary is closed to visitation.

North Wales, United Kingdom: Reports say Wrexham Maelor Hospital is still in lockdown because of a vomiting bug outbreak.  New patients are being sent to other health centers.

Scotland, United Kingdom: The latest reports say at least seven wards in four hospitals were lockdown due to outbreaks.

If you notice, most norovirus outbreaks in the United Kingdom take place in hospitals.

The U.K. Food Standards Authority want sick people to tell them what color their throw up is.  It’s a new twitter program that officials think will help them track specific tummy bug infections.

Norovirus is a surface contact bug, meaning you pick it up by touching or eating it.  I still see reports from local U.S. news media connecting norovirus prevention to flu vaccines, as I wrote last year, 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 (time to wear those Michael Jackson gloves you’ve been hiding).

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).

Norovirus Update, 09 January 2013: Main stream media now reporting new strain, after I already did! Utah ground zero in United States! More deaths! Canada gets double whammy!

“It’s very fast moving and very contagious.”-Jennifer Robertson, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, Utah

09 January 2013, U.S. main stream media reporting that the cause of increased norovirus cases is a new version.  In December 2012 I reported that Japanese health officials reported a new strain that was sicken thousands of Japanese.  In March 2012 I warned that increased globalization of food markets could spread new diseases within the U.S. (mainly because the Federal government cut funding for Food & Drug Administration inspections of imported food).

The latest reports say the new version of norovirus was born in Australia, and it’s launch point in the U.S. is the Beehive State of Utah.  It’s called Genotype II.4 or Sydney 2012.

In Utah, at least 250 Mormon missionaries got sick at the missionary training camp. State health officials are investigating clusters of outbreaks.

In Oregon, reports that people visiting the zoo are getting sick. Beaver State health officials think that as many as 135 people got sick at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, back in December 2012. An independent media investigation revealed that the zoo’s restaurants avoided health inspections since 2006, through a loophole favoring state run businesses. To make matters worse, on 03 January 2013, health officials reported another outbreak in Portland. One hospital had 75 ER cases since December, and then four of their own doctors and a dozen nurses got sick.

And just because something is new, doesn’t mean it’s clean.  In Wyoming, Cowboy State health officials have linked a norovirus outbreak to a newly opened Golden Corral Buffet & Grill.  306 people were confirmed to be sick with the vomiting bug, in December 2012: “The real strong message is that there’s a definite, classic curve that shows that there was a point-source outbreak December 7th through 10th at Golden Corral restaurant.”-Robert Harrington, Casper-Natrona County Public Health Department

In California, two people died in Mill Valley, Marin County, after an outbreak last week.  On 08 January 2013, a private college prep school re-opened in Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, after it closed twice, because of outbreaks.  The first outbreak took place on 26 November 2012, after a teacher in-service day.  The second outbreak occurred among students in December.

In Nevada, health officials admit that norovirus cases are so common there, that they don’t keep stats!  In Las Vegas, casino owners swear they keep track in order to prevent spreading it to other casinos.  One state health official says it ain’t no thing: “We don’t keep statistics on it because it is so common.”-Jennifer Sizemore,  Southern Nevada Health District

Health officials in the United Kingdom don’t think it ain’t no thing.  They predict a million more Brits will get sick, compared to last year.  They’ve also issued a warning regarding blood donors!  The result is a shortage of the O-, or universal blood type.  On 07 January 2013, there were reports that hospital ERs were so full that people were being treated in ambulances.

In Taiwan (Republic of China), the Taipei City Government Department of Health reported 2,100 emergency room cases last week.  That’s double from the same time last year!  Health officials say it’s almost a guarantee that if one family member gets sick, the whole family will be sick soon.

In Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, hospitals are getting hit with a double whammy of norovirus and influenza.  Alberta Health Services reports hospitals are more than 100% occupancy.  Elective surgeries are being canceled due to concerns over infections.  Albertans are being asked to be more selective in seeking help: “We are looking to Albertans to educate themselves on the options available for their care to ensure they get the care they need quickly, and also to help reduce the pressures on our ERs during this season.”-William Dickout, Edmonton medical director

Back in the U.S. of A.  The Maine Center for Disease Control (MCDC) says it’s concerned about the flu/norovirus double whammy, as norovirus has spread from York County: “Norovirus is totally different from influenza. They are both happening in Maine right now, and you have to know a little bit about each one to protect yourself.”-Stephen Sears, MCDC

There is no treatment for norovirus, no vaccine, and your body does not develop immunity so you can get sick again and again and again….

Check my previous postings about norovirus.  You’ll notice most outbreaks involve hospitals.  You’ll also read about a recent study that says cleanliness might not have any affect on viruses (it’s actually the first study ever to investigate such claims).