Norovirus hits Island County
Published 9:00 pm Friday, April 21, 2006
Island County public health officials are reporting an increase in norovirus, an easily spread bug that can make people intensely ill for a couple of days with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.
Although a full-blown outbreak isn’t under way, an increasing number of cases have been reported at hospitals and clinics, county health officer Dr. Roger Case said.
“It’s pretty contagious,” he said. “It’s important people understand what they’re dealing with. We want to get on top of this before it becomes widespread in the community.”
Washing of hands can slow the disease, but it can easily spread through close contact, such as occurs among family members.
Toilets used by someone who has the disease should be disinfected, he said, either with a disinfectant or a solution of water with 10 percent bleach.
Reports of suspected cases have increased in the past week.
“There’s been a stream of people” coming into area clinics and at the Navy hospital at Oak Harbor, Case said.
One Oak Harbor clinic reported six to seven suspected cases in a single day. Usually, one or two cases a week are reported, he said.
In Clark County, three elderly patients died earlier this month after outbreaks of the disease at two adult care facilities, said Donn Moyer, a state Department of Health spokesman. Although the patients had other serious health problems, the virus contributed to their deaths, he said.
Cases of norovirus typically start to increase at this time of year, he said, and continue through August.
“Springtime is usually the most active,” Moyer said. “That’s sort of the hot spot.”
Another cluster of suspected cases was reported a few weeks ago at a camp on Orcas Island attended by 250 parents, counselors and elementary school students.
Although three students from Snohomish County attended the camp, none got sick, said Suzanne Pate, a spokeswoman for the Snohomish Health District.
There have been no recent cases of the virus reported in Snohomish County, she said.
Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
