Colorado’s public well being specialists are urging consciousness of the signs of norovirus, saying infections are climbing together with circumstances of seasonal respiratory diseases.
The virus primarily impacts the digestive system — inflicting nausea, diarrhea and vomiting — and will be transmitted by coming into contact with or consuming meals ready by an contaminated particular person. Critical infections could cause dehydration and different well being issues.
Ned Calonge, chief medical officer for Colorado’s Division of Public Well being and Surroundings, mentioned norovirus has been reported increasingly more often in Colorado and different states because the finish of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Throughout COVID, we simply didn’t see many outbreaks, as a result of folks weren’t getting exterior,” he mentioned. “From then on, is there a brand new pressure that’s extra simply transmitted? We don’t have any info on that. Or have we simply gotten actually lax about hand hygiene and hand-washing since rising from the pandemic?”
Earlier than 2020, the state noticed about 160 to 165 outbreaks per yr, Calonge mentioned. That quantity fell to 39 in 2020 however has since climbed, with 338 outbreaks reported in 2024.
The company primarily takes reviews of outbreaks from faculties, baby care services and nursing houses, the place it has additionally expanded its public well being surveillance efforts.
On the identical time, the state is coping with a seasonal spike in respiratory diseases, together with influenza, COVID-19 and the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. By the top of final week, there have been 246 reported hospital admissions involving a analysis of influenza plus 101 diagnoses of COVID-19 and 113 diagnoses of RSV, in accordance with CDPHE.
Denver’s Division of Public Well being and Surroundings additionally wrote in regards to the growing variety of norovirus outbreaks in a weblog submit final week, urging folks to remain hydrated and wash their arms typically with cleaning soap and water for no less than 20 seconds if they’re experiencing norovirus signs.
Calonge and Leslee Warren of Denver’s Division of Public Well being and Surroundings each mentioned that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are much less efficient towards norovirus than different viruses. Diluted bleach can be utilized to disinfect surfaces touched by an contaminated particular person.
“It’s actually all about hand-washing with cleaning soap and water as often as you possibly can, particularly earlier than you’re going to deal with meals,” Warren mentioned. “It’s prime norovirus season proper now. It’s a seasonal bug, and it circulates with the respiratory viruses.”
She mentioned Denver had investigated 54 suspected and confirmed norovirus outbreaks in 2024 and that the variety of outbreaks had elevated because the pandemic and post-pandemic intervals, with 20 outbreaks investigated in 2022.
Warren suggested folks experiencing norovirus signs to remain residence for no less than 24 to 48 hours after their signs subside, particularly meals service staff and folks working in baby care. Washing vegatables and fruits, and cooking shellfish totally can even forestall the unfold of the virus.
Extra details about the virus is accessible on DDPHE’s web site.
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