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Southeast Idaho health officials are seeing an increase in the number of patients afflicted with stomach flu this year, including one local resident who died from the virus.
Southeastern Idaho Public Health said nine confirmed cases of norovirus, also known as stomach flu, have been identified in Southeast Idaho since Jan. 1. This number surpasses the total annual number of confirmed cases in both 2013 and 2014.
Though the virus rarely proves fatal, Ian Troester-Solbrig, a registered nurse and epidemiologist for Southeastern Idaho Public Health, said a patient living in Southeast Idaho recently died from complications resulting from the illness.
The patient died from dehydration, a common side effect of norovirus illnesses.
“The illness can be dangerous for people who suffer from dehydration,” he said. “It also hits the very old and the very young, and people with weak immune systems, particularly hard.”
Troester-Solbrig said even though the number of confirmed cases seem small, the true number of patients afflicted with noroviruses are difficult to determine.
“It’s hard for a health department to keep track of noroviruses because it spreads really fast and people usually don’t seek medical treatment,” he said. “They usually wait it out at home until they become better.”
However, Troester-Solbrig said he has provided medical assistance to around 50 people suffering from symptoms reflective of the virus since January.
None of Southeast Idaho’s neighboring regions have seen a spike in norovirus cases this year. Troester-Solbrig said the majority of the cases were concentrated in the area between Blackfoot and Soda Springs. This area includes Pocatello and Fort Hall.
The most common norovirus symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea and intense stomach pains. The virus is very contagious and the onset of symptoms after the patient is initially exposed is quick, usually within 12 to 48 hours.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States, as well as the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks. Every year, it causes 19 to 21 million illnesses and contributes to 570 to 800 deaths across the country.
To prevent the spread of norovirus, health officials strongly encourage washing your hands before handling food and after using the bathroom.
Because the virus is so contagious, Troester-Solbrig also said it is important to stay home from work or school if you are sick. He also said you should wait one to three days after the symptoms pass before going back to work or school to prevent infecting others.
“You can easily get it from touching a shopping cart or eating contaminated food,” he said.
If patients feel light-headed, they should seek medical treatment immediately.
Troester-Solbrig also said using bleach is the best way to disinfect contaminated surfaces. He recommends using a solution consisting of one part bleach and nine parts water.
Courtesy of idahostatejournal.com
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