Iowa gets hit with norovirus outbreak

Font Size:

By Ann McGlynn | Wednesday, November 22, 2006 1:08 AM CST | () comments

A virus that makes people violently ill for a short time is spreading through Iowa, sickening almost 1,000 people and prompting health officials to remind people of proper food preparation techniques so the holiday is “memorable for the right reasons.”

Some of the tally of sick includes visitors and employees at the Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., Bettendorf. The Greenbriar restaurant in Johnston, Iowa, a birthday party in central Iowa, a school in Manchester and a couple of care facilities also have experienced outbreaks, officials said.

The outbreaks have no apparent link, they said, but are prompting concern because of the unusually high number cases in a short amount of time.

“Anyone with diarrhea or vomiting in the last few days should not be handling any food items,” said Patricia Quinlisk, Iowa state epidemiologist. “That rule is important no matter if you’re cooking for two or 200, whether it’s a regular family meal or holiday gathering or at a restaurant.”

The last time the state experienced a similar widespread outbreak was Thanksgiving time in 2002, said Kevin Teale, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Public Health. “We want to make sure people wash their hands before they dig into the giblets,” he said.

The Isle of Capri continues to work with the Scott County Health Department to monitor its norovirus outbreak that first became apparent in mid-October, said Roma Taylor, clinical services director with the health department.

The best way to combat the spread of norovirus is to use proper hand-washing, she said. That means washing hands with warm water and soap while singing “Happy Birthday” twice.

“It’s not just sprinkling a little water and wiping your hands on an apron,” she said.

Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com.

The virus

Norovirus is a group of viruses sometimes called Norwalk-like virus. It is transmitted three ways, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then placing that hand in one’s mouth, or having direct contact with a person who is infected and showing symptoms.

Symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps, appear within 48 hours of exposure. They usually last one to two days. There usually are no long-term health effects.