CARTERET COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

                3820 Bridges Street, Suite A, Morehead City NC  28557
                 J.T. Garrett, Ed. D., M.P.H.

March 5, 2010

From:  Dr. J. T. Garrett, Ed.D, MPH, Health Director
            Carteret County Health Department

To:      Child Care Centers in Carteret County 

Re:      Health Advisory - Possible Norovirus Illnesses in the Community 

We would like to inform you of a recent increase in gastrointestinal illnesses in Carteret County, and to offer some information that may be helpful if you are seeing this type of illness at your facility.   

Reports to our Health Department show that Norovirus may be circulating in our community.  Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause acute gastrointestinal illness.  They pass easily and quickly from person to person and by contact with contaminated surfaces.   

NC Public Health recommends that child care facilities:

·        Reinforce proper hand washing technique with staff and children.  Please note that soap and warm water are much more effective than gel hand sanitizers against Noroviruses. 

·        Allow sick children and staff to return to the facility ONLY if they have been symptom-free for 48 hours.

·        Screen patrons and visitors for symptoms.

·        Thoroughly clean and disinfect your living environment, food preparation and serving areas using chlorine bleach as the main disinfecting agent.  Please refer to the attachment, “Environmental Control of Norovirus in Child Care Facilities” for details.  You can also access this information at www.ncpublichealth.com and click on Norovirus Information.   

Symptoms usually last 1 to 2 days and can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Some persons also have low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.  Children may experience more vomiting than adults.  Most will recover in 2 to 3 days without the need for medical follow-up.  However, it is important to watch for signs of dehydration. 

We thank you for your heightened awareness and prompt action.   If you have questions or are seeing a large number of cases, please call our Communicable Disease nurse, Donna Faiella, RN, at 252.728.8550 ext. 7779. 

JTG/mrf

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