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HEALTH ADVISORY:

Norovirus Information and Guidelines for Schools and Child Care Facilities

December 2012

Starting this fall, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and local public

health agencies have noted a substantial increase in reports of gastrointestinal illness (diarrhea andvomiting) outbreaks in group settings statewide, including schools and child care facilities. Norovirus isa common cause of gastrointestinal illness. This health advisory contains information about norovirus

and outbreak prevention measures for schools and child care facilities.

About Norovirus:

Norovirus is highly concentrated in the stool and vomitus of infected people. It has a low infectious

dose, which allows for easy person-to-person transmission through contact with the stool or vomitof an infected person. Norovirus can also spread through the air for short distances when someone

vomits. People who are ill with norovirus and do not wash their hands thoroughly after vomiting or

having diarrhea can spread the infection to others and/or contaminate surfaces such as tables, doorknobs,keyboards, or phones. Other people who touch those surfaces and then touch their mouth can get

infected.

Norovirus can cause extended outbreaks in schools and child care facilities due to the low infectious

dose, consistent and prolonged close contact among students, and potential for decreased hand hygiene

among students due to young age and infrequent access to a hand sink. Norovirus outbreaks can occurat any time of the year, but are most common in the winter and early spring.

Typical symptoms of norovirus infection include vomiting and non-bloody diarrhea. Other potentialsymptoms include low-grade fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal cramps, chills, and

malaise. When someone is exposed to the virus, it typically takes between 12 to 48 hours (averageof around 24 hours) before symptoms begin. The average duration of symptoms is 24 to 72 hours,

although the virus can remain in the stool of ill people for at least several days after symptoms resolve.People are most contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill until at least 48 hours after recovery.

Dehydration is the most common complication, especially among the young and elderly, and, in some

cases, may require intravenous fluids.

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Preventing Norovirus Outbreaks at your facility:

EXCLUDE ill students: Children who are ill with either vomiting or diarrhea should beexcluded until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

EXCLUDE ill staff: Ill staff, especially food handlers, should be excluded from work until at

least 48 hours after diarrhea and vomiting have ceased, even if they are feeling well sooner.

Cleaning and disinfecting: Noroviruses are very hardy and can survive relatively high levels of

chlorine. To effectively disinfect areas, use a 10% solution of household chlorine bleach (onecup of bleach per nine cups of water) or an EPA-approved disinfectant with specific activity

against norovirus. Quaternary ammonium compounds, which are commonly used in school and

child care settings, are not effective against noroviruses. A list of EPA-registered disinfectants isavailable at: www.epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm. Always handle vomitus as if it contains

norovirus. When someone vomits, ensure people clear the area, and make sure the person

cleaning up the accident wears gloves and a simple face mask.

Hand washing: Review the importance of hand washing with students and staff. Remindchildren and staff to thoroughly wash their hands after using the restroom, before eating, andbefore handling any food for others. Also, remind everyone that hand washing must be done with

soap and warm water, washing all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds; hand sanitizer

is not an acceptable substitute for washing hands, but can be used to supplement frequent hand

washing.

If your facility is experiencing a high number of gastrointestinal illnesses, begin a sanitation campaign in

your facility:

Take defined hand washing breaks for children and staff to encourage frequent hand washing.

In addition to thorough hand washing, set up hand sanitizer stations for children and staff.

Increase the frequency of disinfection of tables, door knobs, faucets, chairs, computers,

keyboards, toys and other commonly shared items. These might be a route of disease spread.

Please contact CDPHE or your local public health agency if your facility is experiencing large numbers

of gastrointestinal illness in multiple classrooms or multiple grades. Public Health will work with you toevaluate the specific situation and the potential need to implement additional control measures.

For more information please contact your local public health agency, or CDPHE at 303-692-2700.

Information on Norovirus, including frequently asked questions: www.cdc.gov/norovirus

For the latest state guidelines on the management of infectious diseases in schools and child care

facilities visit:

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDPHE-DCEED/CBON/1251607755294

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Notify Parents/Guardians:

Consider sharing preventive information to parents and guardians. Here is some suggested language:

Widespread gastrointestinal illness has been reported throughout Colorado and county

including in several local schools and child care centers. We encourage parents and guardians to

increase simple prevention measures to stop further spread of illness in our community.

Symptoms of the illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. We believe the

illness is being caused by a virus germ called norovirus. Norovirus infection is very common thistime of year. Symptoms usually last about 1-3 days and can cause dehydration, which can be dangerous

for children.

Stomach illness is easily spread to others when you have direct contact with another person who is

infected, touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then placing your hand in your mouth, or eating

food that might have been contaminated by an ill person. This is especially a concern in a child caresetting where there are young children in diapers, and children play together and share toys.

In order to reduce the spread of illness, has recommendedthat any child with stomach illness be kept home, and that staff encourage frequent hand washing and

careful cleaning of the facility.

Please help to keep you and your family well by:

Keeping your child(ren) home from school or child care for at least 48 hours after symptoms

have stopped.

Washing your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers andbefore preparing or eating food or touching your mouth.

Helping your child learn how to properly wash hands.

Not sharing food or drinks with other people while sick or if others have been sick. Not preparing food for others if you have symptoms.

Flushing vomit or putting it in a toilet or trashcan and making sure the surrounding area is

kept clean and disinfected.

Immediately cleaning any surfaces near where someone has vomited or had diarrhea and

disinfecting the surfaces using a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.

Immediately removing and washing any clothing or linens soiled by vomit or diarrhea.

If your child becomes ill while at school or in child care, you or a guardian will need to pick them upas soon as possible. Your child should not return to child care until 48 hours after their symptoms have

stopped, even if they just have one episode of diarrhea or vomiting.

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