Maine CDC issues norovirus advisory

Norovirus Image/CDC

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a norovirus advisory for the state in light of at least 16 outbreaks reported in the past two months, according to a Maine CDC advisory issued Jan. 3.

Health officials say that half the outbreaks (2 or more ill individuals) were caused by Norovirus Genotype II.

The majority of the norovirus outbreaks were reported from southern Maine, with more than half reported from York County.

Health officials say that norovirus increases during the winter months.

Norovirus is a highly contagious illness caused by infection with a virus of the same name. It is often called by other names, such as viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu, and food poisoning.

The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people, the illness is self-limiting with symptoms lasting for about 1 or 2 days. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults do.

Norovirus is spread person to person particularly in crowded, closed places. Norovirus is typically spread through contaminated food andwater, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then putting your hand or fingers in your mouth and close contact with someone who is vomiting or has diarrhea.

The virus can persist on surfaces for prolonged periods at a wide range of temperatures. 

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